Benni McCarthy is convinced Blackburn Rovers can crack the top four this season.

Mark Hughes' troops have already been knocked out of the UEFA Cup but South African hitman McCarthy says Rovers will go one better this term.

McCarthy said: "We have a very good squad and everyone is expecting us to give the big four a whole lot of trouble. I think so far we have not let our fans down.

"We were buoyed by the fact we didn't lose to teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. That we held the supposed big teams was a great success for us.

"Ewood Park would love European football. It showed in the UEFA Cup that European nights are special nights for the fans because you come up against the best teams in Europe.

"I have played in the Champions League and I know what a great atmosphere such nights bring.

"We will fight hard to smell such nights but first we have to break into the first four.

"It is not beyond us because we have the squad to handle the pressure that comes with such ambitions. You only need to see what importance such a competition does in the careers of many players.

"Our fans deserve it and that will be the target this season. We have started brilliantly and I think we are right on track."