Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31,367

McCarthy targets top four

02 May 2008 - 08:52:57

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Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy believes Champions League qualification is a realistic target for next season.

The South African striker agreed a new three-year contract with the Ewood Park club last week and has now set his sights on a lofty target for the next campaign.

The 30-year-old, who joined Rovers from Porto in 2006, has netted 11 goals for Mark Hughes' side this season.

"Hopefully, next season, now everything is out of the way - I have pledged my future to the club - we can just all concentrate on just trying to get maybe a Champions League place," he claimed.

"I think it is very ambitious but it is a chance we have got, we have great players."

Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Tugay will have to wait until the end of the season to discover whether he will be offered a new contract.

The 37-year-old is out of contract in the summer but is keen to end his career with Rovers after seven years at Ewood Park despite struggling for first-team opportunities during the second half of the campaign.

"We'll probably wait until the end of the season now," said Hughes.

"We are very close to where we want to be points wise so our focus is on that.

"Any housekeeping we need to tidy up at the end of the season will be done then."