FIT-AGAIN Matt Jansen today set his sights on becoming one of England's top strikers after making a successful return to first team action against Newcastle.

Jansen took another major step on the comeback trail by appearing as a second half substitute in Rovers' 5-2 win, just five months after specialists had warned his family he may never play again.

And now he plans to step up his rehabilitation programme this week in the hope that he might be able to play a bigger role in Rovers' UEFA Cup 'Battle of Britain' with Celtic at the end of the month.

"I feel fine," declared a delighted Jansen after coming through his first League game of the season unscathed.

"My fitness is good so I feel okay in that way but, obviously, all this feels new to me again because I haven't really been in full training properly, heading balls and tackling.

"It's been five months since I last played, which is the longest break I've ever had in football terms, so it's going to take time to get used to it all again.

"But it would be nice to be involved in some of the big games we've got coming up.

"I think I've got another game tomorrow with the reserves against Nottingham Forest so let's see how I come through that.

"Then it's Arsenal away and, hopefully, I'll be involved in that, too.

"So if I'm progressing forward then, hopefully, the Celtic tie could be an option."

Rovers boss Graeme Souness hadn't planned to bring the 25-year-old back quite so quickly but injuries to Damien Duff and Andy Cole forced his hand.

However, Jansen responded to the call to arms with a typical show of character and he almost capped his return with a goal.

"I knew for definite that I was going to be involved on Friday but there were rumours after the reserve game on Tuesday that I might get a chance," explained Jansen, who also celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday.

"I think they wanted to use this as part of my rehabilitation.

"They said I needed 20 to 25 minutes, no matter what the score was, so I was always going to go on and I prepared myself.

"Thankfully, I did get on and, thankfully, we got a great result.

"The gaffer just told me to forget everything and go out and enjoy it.

"Fortunately, it was a decent game to go on to because we were already 4-2 up so I didn't have too much to do, although I could have walked away with a goal but for a good save from their keeper.

"So, hopefully, I can progress forward from here."

After suffering such a serious head injury, there were concerns about how that might have affected Jansen psychologically.

But the striker insists what happened as a result of the accident has not affected his mental state.

"Because I don't remember anything about it, it doesn't really affect me that much," said the England man.

"In training on Friday, a ball deflected off Shorty and smacked me right in the face and my nose started bleeding so everyone panicked.

"But it's not a problem. I feel fine within myself, I hope I'm almost back to normal now, and hopefully everyone else will see it that way, too."

Jansen was also bowled over by the fabulous reception he received off both sets of fans as he entered the fray and said it was that kind of support which has helped him emerge from the most difficult time of his life.

"The reception I got was different class. It made it all feel worthwhile.

"When you see fans reacting like that, it makes you even more determined to come back."

Meanwhile, Souness was delighted with Jansen's come back and the result itself as Rovers moved up to eighth in the table.

"It was a good day's work for us. I thought we played some wonderful football," said the Blackburn boss.

"We became sloppy for a while just before half-time but then we kicked on again in the second half, we found another gear, and won the game with a bit of style."

Craig Short failed a late fitness test on Saturday, and was ruled out, while Graeme Souness is waiting on a scan on Damien Duff.