Luiz Felipe Scolari took a break from media duties on his 60th birthday, and so it was Ray Wilkins who gave his approval at the team's performance against Blackburn on Sunday.

The manager was able to celebrate the occasion with a 2-0 win in Lancashire, goals courtesy of Nicolas Anelka, firing his 10th and 11th of the season, and Wilkins was delighted with the forward's contribution.

'He's looking good. He's doing a fantastic job, again today he was exceptional, and had it not been for Paul [Robinson] in the Blackburn goal he'd have had another hat-trick which would have been very pleasant,' said the assistant first team coach.

'He has worked extremely hard, it's not his game to play up front on his own and bring people into the game and hold the ball up, but he has worked very hard at that aspect of his game. Thankfully for him he has managed to knock in a few as well.'

Wilkins was impressed with the overall performance of the side against difficult opposition in trying conditions, with rain hammering down on to the heavy pitch for the entire first half.

'A lot of people would have been looking at that thinking it's a tough game at Blackburn, difficult conditions, will they fancy it? Particularly after the game in the week, but I think you can see from the attitude and the way they played today that they were well up for it,' Wilkins said of his players.

'We were playing catch-up from yesterday with Liverpool and it was imperative we got the three points today.'

He believes there was a determination to return to winning ways throughout the squad, after defeat at Roma in midweek.

'There would have been a lot of people thinking we might slip up today, but they do have a lot of pride in their performance, our guys.

'They were hurt, and they after the Liverpool game and bounced back in wonderful fashion at Hull. They felt they didn't do themselves justice [in Rome] but they certainly did today.

'We played some very good football and Paul Robinson was superb. It was a lot of very skilful play, nice one and two touch which we like to play. It was important to play fast, it was cold and we were feeling the cold at half-time as well.'

Injuries prevented Didier Drogba and Joe Cole from travelling to Blackburn, but Wilkins is hopeful that both can be involved against Burnley on Wednesday.

'Didier has been out for quite a period, and he still isn't quite feeling good enough to come into the fold, so we thought it best we left him behind. There is no setback; he just doesn't feel that he's ready to crack on,' he said, before commenting on Cole.

'[He has] Just a bit of stiffness in the right hamstring, I think he's been out for three weeks and you tend to pick up little injuries along the way,' Wilkins explained. 'What he didn't really do is have a fantastic recuperation period. He has done a lot of work trying to get fit and make himself available when he wasn't 100 per cent. He is showing great spirit and attitude towards the team.'

There are likely to be changes in personnel for the visit of the Championship side, with lesser used players receiving match action.

'I think that'll probably be the case as we are playing at home as well. Our squad is quite sizeable so I imagine there will be a few changes. We are expecting a tough game, but we've got a lot of players that haven't taken part and I'm sure Felipe would like to give them a game,' he said.

Finally there was some elaboration on Scolari's birthday.

'Felipe's 60th yes, hopefully he can go home and celebrate, I don't know how Brazilians celebrate but I'm sure he will,' the 52-year-old said 'We had a cake and a glass of champagne with him last night.'

After this afternoon's performance, Scolari will be toasting his men for their impressive display.