THE eyes of the sporting world will focus on the Middle East tomorrow for the running of the Dubai World Cup.

And some of Blackburn Rovers' promotion-chasing squad look set to be there in person to soak up the special atmosphere which surrounds one of the most glamorous events on the sporting calendar.

Graeme Souness and his players are currently sunning themselves in the Middle East as part of a seven-day break away from the hurly-burly of the Nationwide League.

But the Rovers boss would probably swap all that for the humble surroundings of Grimsby's Blundell Park this weekend if he was given half a chance.

For that's where Rovers should have been tomorrow before the game was postponed two weeks ago due to some of the squad's involvement in World Cup qualifiers.

And, though that enforced break has at least allowed Souness to whisk those not on international duty off to foreign climes for some much-needed rest and recuperation, the long-term repercussions could yet be far-reaching.

A quick glance at the First Division table suggests in-form Rovers are now in pole position for that second automatic promotion spot behind runaway leaders Fulham.

Just two points currently separate them and second-placed Bolton with the men from Ewood having two games in hand.

But league tables don't tell the full story with Rovers now facing an horrendous run-in which will see them play NINE times in 29 days.

And by the time they return home next week, they could have slipped down to fourth in the table presuming Birmingham beat Sheffield Wednesday at St Andrew's tomorrow to open up a three point gap -- albeit from three games more.

It's an age-old adage, but points in the bag rather than games in hand are often worth more at this stage in a season.

And it's going to take a mammoth effort from Rovers to ensure all their previous good work doesn't go to waste as they enter the final straight.

"It's not ideal having nine games in the space of a month," said Souness.

"But that's the situation which faces us, there's nothing we can do about it, so it's something we've just got to get on with it.

"At least with no game for two weeks, it's given us time to get away.

"It's something different, the players will get a chance to get a bit of sun on their backs, and it should, hopefully, breed a bit of togetherness for the run-in."

Souness knows his side need to hit a target of 92 points in order to secure second spot.

And that means a haul of at least seven wins and two draws from their last 11 games.

Of those remaining fixtures, five are at home with Burnley, Fulham, Huddersfield, Portsmouth and Sheffield United all yet to visit Ewood between now and May.

But, more crucially, four out of Rovers' last five matches are all away.

And they now face the possibility of a trip to Grimsby in the penultimate week without people like Damien Duff, Jason McAteer and Henning Berg who could all be called up for international duty.

Perversely, however, finishing with a glut of away games could yet work in their favour.

Rovers may have won 12 of their 18 home games so far, picking up a possible 40 points out of 54 along the way.

But they've been far from convincing on home soil at times, with the expectations of the Ewood faithful appearing to weigh heavily on their shoulders.

Away from home, though, Rovers have revelled in the extra space given to them by opponents who have had to demonstrate more attacking ambition in front of their own fans.

And victories at places like Bolton, Birmingham and Watford suggest they have no reason to fear anyone on their travels.

What is certain is the pressure will reach boiling point in each of the last 11 games.

But one of the most impressive features of Graeme Souness's first year in charge has been the way his side have managed to raise themselves for the big games.

And the bigger -- it would seem -- the better.

In seasoned professionals like Henning Berg, Craig Short, Mark Hughes and Garry Flitcroft, Souness has the men for the big occasion.

And the youthful exuberance of precocious talents like David Dunn and Matt Jansen have also helped to see the team through whenever the chips have been down.

Souness's confidence in his troops was underlined by the fact that there was a deathly silence at Ewood on transfer deadline day.

Now he's hoping his faith will be repaid with the performances necessary to achieve that golden 92 point target between now and May 6.