EWOOD legend Alan Shearer today backed Rovers to become a top 10 force next season after last night's pulsating 2-2 draw with Newcastle effectively banished all thoughts of relegation.

Third-from-bottom Ipswich must now win every one of their three remaining Premiership games to stand any chance of overtaking Graeme Souness's men.

But Shearer insists Rovers have already done enough to ensure Ewood Park will once again stage top-flight football next season.

And what's more, the former England captain believes Souness now has the tools to transform his old club into a major Premiership force next season after a year of consolidation following promotion from the First Division.

"I've got no doubts at all that Blackburn will be in the top 10 next season," Shearer told the Evening Telegraph after enjoying a rousing reception from the Rovers fans.

"This year has been a transitional period and it's been about getting used to the Premier League again.

"But they've done that, I'm sure they are safe now, and I'm convinced they will go on to bigger and better things.

"I'm a big fan of Graeme Souness's -- there's no doubt about that.

"He's got some good players here, he's also brought in some experienced heads and I'm sure, given a bit of the cash Jack Walker left behind, he will spend it wisely and I'm convinced he can take Blackburn to the next level.

"He's done a great job in his two years so far and, as I've already said, he's got some great kids coming through so I can see them doing very well next season."

Ironically, Shearer gave Ipswich a glimmer of hope in their battle to beat the drop when he scored twice against Rovers last night to earn Newcastle the point they required to cement a place in next season's Champions League.

But the Premiership's all-time record goalscorer believes a draw was a fair outcome on the night and that means Rovers will now be mathematically safe if Ipswich lose against Middlesbrough tonight.

"I thought a draw was a fair result in the end," said Shearer.

"You could tell in the last five minutes that everyone was happy with a point.

"There was some good football played and I think a point now assures them of Premiership safety and it gets us into the Champions League.

"So it was a good night all round."

Meanwhile, Shearer was also heartened by the reception he received off the vast majority of Rovers fans on his return to his old stamping ground.

On his previous visits the Newcastle skipper has been booed and jeered by supporters who felt betrayed by the way he quit Ewood for St James's for a then World Record fee of £15 million in 1996.

But, after an appeal in last night's Evening Telegraph calling for an end to all the bad-blood, only a small section of the home support chose to boo one of the club's all-time legends.

And the former England captain later insisted he wanted to place on record his sincere gratitude for the reception he received.

"It was a lot better and I really do thank the fans for that because the last time I played here I think everyone knows I was disappointed by the reaction I got," said Shearer.

"But last night was a lot different and I just want to thank all the supporters.

"I know I scored two goals the last time I was here and two again last night but I'm only doing my job and I'm doing the job I once did for Blackburn here.

"The fans wanted me to do that then and, obviously, I'm now trying to do that for Newcastle."