ROY Hodgson accepts his players face a test of character as they try to put FA Cup disappointment behind them and claim a European spot.

But the Blackburn Rovers boss handed the squad a vote of confidence today, as they went into the Premiership clash with Leicester City - another side with eyes on Europe.

For he believes his team are every bit as good as the rest of the contenders now clamouring for second place and possible qualification for the Champions' League behind runaway leaders Manchester United.

When Hodgson arrived, he made it clear that a return to Europe in any of the three competitions was the prime target following a season of struggles.

Despite recent setbacks, the opportunity for Rovers to grab runners-up spot and a play-off for the Champions' League - the big one - still remains.

"I think we have always had it in our sights to be honest," he said.

"We have never really disguised that the Champions' League would be the icing on the cake.

"And I think the way the team is playing - albeit the results are not bearing me out at the moment - it would be wrong of me not to try to push the players towards that second spot.

"Because I don't necessarily see that we are intrinsically weaker than the other teams who are vying for that spot.

"I am not saying we are better, but what I am saying is that we are not worse.

"And, if we can keep our standards up, then why shouldn't we go for the second spot. "It might mean that we only arrive at the fourth or fifth but even that won't be a catastrophe because that would have achieved the quite far-reaching goal we set up at the start of the season."

Hodgson appreciates that Rovers' progress has taken many by surprise.

"When we talked at the start of the season about finishing in UEFA, many people thought that was quite a high-blown ambition because last year it didn't go that well and the personnel has changed," he said.

"If anything, some people would argue that, with the loss of Berg and Le Saux it even got worse.

"But I think we've shown that the ambitions we set ourselves at the start of the season were realistic goals for this team."

And the manager wants the players to put the FA Cup exit - after a decent performance - behind them.

"Now I think that, after the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup in the way we did, it's right for me to say - let's raise our sights even higher," he added.

"Let's go for the big prize.

"Whether we can get it, I don't know.

"Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, Leeds and a few other teams will also have their words to say.

"So I am not suggesting we are going to do it. What I'm saying is that's going to be our goal.

"If Manchester United were to have a disastrous spell so we were to overtake them, so much the better. Though I don't count on it.

"There are 12 matches and 36 points left and we need a good number of those 36 points to finish second."

"The best way to get those is by winning your home games and picking up a few points away from home. But, as Crystal Palace have proved, you can take more away points than you get at home."

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