FORMER Burnley boss Adrian Heath today admitted he's a fully paid up member of the Blackburn fan club as Rovers prepare to enter the white hot atmosphere of the Stadium of Light.

Heath, now coach of North East superpower Sunderland, is a big admirer of the job Graeme Souness has done at Ewood over the last 12 months.

And, as he attempts to plot Rovers' downfall tomorrow, he concedes the Premiership newcomers have what it takes to become a real force in the top flight over the next nine months.

"I watched Blackburn quite a few times last year and I have to say I was very impressed with them," said Heath.

"Matt Jansen is starting to fulfil his potential up front, Damien Duff is obviously a threat to anyone down the left, and Keith Gillespie appears to be getting over all of his injuries problems.

"So I can see them doing very well at this level.

"Graeme Souness had a great first season in charge and appeared to have everyone pulling in the right direction.

"And, if they can mirror their manager, then they'll be formidable -- there's no doubt about it.

"We've had them watched in all three of their games so far and, from the reports we've had, their front four have been looking very lively.

"So we're fully expecting a very tough game tomorrow and we know we have to be on our guard."

For a man with such an affinity for Rovers' arch rivals, that's a frank admission.

But, if anyone knows what's it like trying to break into the Premiership's cartel of elite clubs, then it's Peter Reid's trusted right-hand man.

Heath and former Rovers boss, Bobby Saxton, have both helped Reid bring the good times back to the Wearside by steering the go-ahead club to two successive seventh-placed finishes in an increasingly competitive top-flight.

Now, their goal is to force their way into the top six, but Heath knows that will take a gargantuan effort.

"We're a big club, we've got a terrific fan base and we need to move onto the next stage now," said Heath.

"But when you consider what we are trying to break into it doesn't leave an awful lot of room for manoeuvre.

"All of a sudden you spend £20 million in the summer and you're considered one of the smallest spenders in the league.

"Manchester United have spent £50 million on two players, Fulham have spent £40 million, and Chelsea have spent £30 million plus again.

"So it's a bit like trying to keep up with the Jones's and, when you look at it like that, you can see exactly what we are up against.

"It's taken Peter Reid four or five years to get us up to this stage but to force are way into the leading pack is going to be very, very difficult because it means trying to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Leeds, Arsenal and Manchester United."

As long as Sunderland possess a finisher of the quality of Kevin Phillips, however, then anything is possible.

In his last two seasons alone, the former Watford hit-man has left a trail of destruction behind him, scoring over 50 goals.

And, though the nation might be currently getting swept away by Owen-mania, Heath believes the North East's very own version of the pint-sized assassin will force his way back into the England reckoning in time for next summer's World Cup.

"I've been fortunate in my career in that I've played with some top draw strikers like Gary Lineker and Graeme Sharp but I really think Kevin is something special," said Heath.

"People said he had a bad season last year but he still scored 19 goals and he's got two in three so far.

"So I'd be disappointed if he didn't get at least 25 again this time."

"If he plays a full season, which fingers crossed he will, then I believe he'll score the goals to win his place back in the England squad in time for the World Cup.

"I've no doubts that he's good enough and neither has Peter Reid."

In the mean time, however, Phillips is focusing all his attention on shooting down Rovers.

And Heath believes Graeme Souness's troops will need to show plenty of mettle if they are not to wilt in the cauldron-like atmosphere of the Stadium of Light.

"If it's the first time some of them have been here then they'll be in for a big surprise.

"Most fans who come here tend to say it's the best stadium in the country and I'd have to agree.

"There'll be 48,000 in there and, if we start off quickly, then it's a very intimidating atmosphere."