GRAEME Souness believes his side now have the platform to challenge for automatic promotion.

With West Brom and Bolton both winning yesterday, Rovers actually slipped down to fourth in the First Division table.

But Souness said: "We certainly feel we are as strong as anybody and on our day, if we play our football, then we are better than anybody.

"But I can talk about it, it's the boys who have got the difficult job of going and proving that."

Meanwhile, midfield hardman Garry Flitcroft could be ready to make a first team return in time for next week's derby clash with Preston North End at Ewood.

Flitcroft was expected to be out for up to a month after fracturing his toe in the Boxing Day victory over Birmingham.

But the influential skipper is making swift progress under the watchful eye of first team physio Dave Fevre.

And Souness has pencilled in the North End game as a possible comeback date.

"Garry's making good progress," said Souness.

"I don't think he'll be back in time for the weekend.

"But I'm hopeful he'll be back for the one after that, which is the Preston game next week."