EWOOD goal-ace Matt Jansen has set his sights on gunning down his boyhood idols Newcastle tomorrow as he looks for a repeat of his goalscoring exploits against Arsenal in midweek.

Jansen used to follow the Geordies as a youngster with Peter Beardsley his Toon hero.

And, had fate conspired differently, he could even have joined United immediately prior to signing for Rovers.

However, the 24-year-old ultimately opted for a move to Ewood instead and he will show little sentiment when he returns to St James's for a tough encounter against Bobby Robson's high-fliers.

"It would be nice to go on a run now and I am looking forward to tomorrow," said Jansen.

"I supported them when I was about 12 or 13. My best friend was a season ticket holder at Newcastle and it was the biggest club near to where I was brought up in Carlisle.

"So I used to go and watch them on a regular basis. I have great memories of those days and I've played there a couple of times, but not since they built the new stand.

"It used to be a tremendous atmosphere before so I can only imagine what it is like now it has got bigger.

"The passion up there is fantastic and they are doing well in the league at the moment, but hopefully they won't do so well against us."

Jansen actually had the opportunity to join the Geordies during his days at Crystal Palace and even spoke to Ruud Gullit about a possible move.

But he ended up turning his back on the club in favour of a move to Rovers and has never looked back since.

"I came close to signing for them a couple of times, under Ruud Gullit and Kenny Dalglish," said Jansen.

"I actually spoke to them before I came here and I was very, very close to signing.

"But it all came down to money in the end and Crystal Palace chairman Mark Goldberg wanted the cash up front.

"Blackburn could pay it, Newcastle wouldn't so it was just a hassle for me.

"Plus the fact I'd played for Brian Kidd when I was on trial at Manchester United which swayed me towards Rovers in the end.

"So, now I'm a Blackburn player, I'm fully committed to doing my best for them.

"We are coming back off two league defeats against Middlesbrough and Leeds which we didn't deserve and so it would be nice to go there and get a win.

"This season we have shown we can play against the top teams. It's the lesser teams we struggle against."

United have proved formidable opponents at St James's, however, and Jansen knows Rovers could have their work cut out.

"St James's is a bit of a fortress at the moment so it's going to be tough," said Jansen.

"From what I've seen, I think Laurent Robert is a special player but Craig Bellamy is suspended which should help us.

"And, if we can keep Shearer quiet, then we should be okay."

After putting Arsenal to the sword in midweek with his first ever professional hat-trick, Jansen is hungry to extend his rich vein of form.

But, like his hero Beardsley, he feels his role extends beyond simply finding the back of the net.

"You get judged on goals as a striker, but it is not always the right picture," said Jansen.

"You can be playing well, but not scoring goals.

"The gaffer says I have been working hard and playing well and fortunately the three went in against Arsenal.

"When things haven't gone well, I just try to keep going. As a youngster I used to love watching Peter Beardsley. He worked his socks off constantly.

"As a fan myself you forgive a trier and everybody loved him up there. He is a bit of a role model for me because he has played for my old club Carlisle as well and it will be extra-special going there this weekend.

"I try to work as hard as I can and thanfully it has paid off."

Rovers boss Graeme Souness is again sweating on the fitness of skipper Garry Flitcroft, who is battling to recover from a groin injury.

And Stig Bjornebye is also struggling with a calf problem.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Neill, Short, Berg, Johansson, Taylor, Dunn, Tugay, Gillespie, Duff, Jansen, Grabbi, Hughes, Mahon, Ostenstad, Kelly.