FORGOTTEN man Craig Short today said securing Premiership safety would feel like winning the title as Rovers prepare for the biggest weekend of their season so far.

The veteran centre-back is desperate to return against Leicester tomorrow after finally completing a whopping five-match suspension.

And he believes two wins over the Bank Holiday weekend against both the Foxes and Southampton would virtually guarantee Premiership football again at Ewood next season.

"If we stay up then it will feel like winning the Premiership as far as we are concerned," said Short, whose last appearance for Rovers was at Middlesbrough on February 16 in the FA Cup.

"If we can get two wins from these next two games then we are probably only one or maybe two wins away from safety.

"I know the safety target seems to go up every week but I think 41 points will be enough.

"So if we can get six points it will be a big boost, especially in terms of confidence."

Short has endured a season of personal frustration after being sent off three times since August.

So, after his latest enforced spell on the sidelines, he's now desperate to make up for lost time by playing a leading part in Rovers' survival battle over the next eight games.

"It's been a very frustrating time for me because I've hardly played since Christmas," said Short.

"The Worthington Cup final was a great day, even though myself and Garry Flitcroft were both suspended for it.

"It was a strange feeling at first when we went down to the stadium but it's still one of the highlights of my career, even though I wasn't involved as a player.

"And if we can stay up then it will have been a memorable season.

"So it's up to us now -- it's in our own hands. At least we are not depending on other teams to do us a favour."