FLYING winger Damien Duff believes Tony Parkes is responsible for putting the fizz firmly back into Blackburn Rovers promotion campaign.

The Republic of Ireland international was one of a clutch of players whose form plummeted during the dark days of Brian Kidd's reign.

But the 20-year-old wide man is back to his brilliant best after being restored to the side on a regular basis.

And he believes the new wave of confidence currently sweeping through Ewood is all down to Parkes's man-management skills.

Rovers were ninth in the First Division table going into today's game against struggling Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

And with just seven points now separating them and the play-off zone, the club can enter the new Millennium with renewed hope of a promotion push.

It's a far cry from the final days under Kidd when Rovers hovered uncomfortably above the relegation trapdoor.

But things are back on an even keel now and the smiles are returning to one or two players' faces - Duff's being one of them.

"I'm just happy to be playing and I'm really enjoying it at the moment," said Duff, who picked up his fourth man of the match award this season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

"Tony Parkes has given me confidence and I'm just happy to be out there doing my stuff.

"I knew I was always capable of it but I struggled at the end of last season, what with the relegation battle and everything. "My job is to set up goals, get crosses in and create things.

"That's what I've done all my life but, for whatever reason, that wasn't happening last year.

"Now I'm scoring a few and setting some up again as well.

"But, more importantly, the team are getting points on the board now, and slowly, but surely, we are climbing up the league.

"The last 10 or 15 games last season were a big struggle for everyone.

"But ever since Tony has taken over there's been a buzz around the place again. He's got everyone playing to the best of their abilities and it's showing in our results.

"We've got the players and the ability here - it's just a question of getting the points.

"But we are back on course now and, hopefully, we can get another win at Portsmouth today and really get up the league."

Mangerless Portsmouth are currently languishing near the foot of the First Division.

They drew 1-1 with bottom club Swindon on Boxing Day and Steve Claridge's late equaliser was their first goal in over 11 hours of football.

Rovers have already thrashed Pompey twice over two legs in the Worthington Cup earlier this season.

But strike duo Ashley Ward and Nathan Blake were both set to be ruled out of today's clash. And Parkes was unlikely to risk bringing back Jason McAteer too soon after he badly gashed his thigh against West Brom last week.

"He has a chance.

"But if there's any chance of him playing and putting himself in danger of missing three or four more games then he won't feature," said Parkes.

"We've got to be very careful with him because it's a deep cut.

"So, for the player's sake, we won't rush him back until he's ready."

Pompey, meanwhile, were expected to have Matthew Robinson and Michael Panopoulos available again after they missed the Swindon match through suspension.

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