ROY Hodgson's route to Europe for Blackburn Rovers could prove even smoother than anticipated.
As things stand at the moment, a place in the top six would guarantee a European spot for Rovers and Hodgson's target of around 60 points should be enough to secure that.
But other factors could mean the four UEFA Cup qualifying positions stretching down as far as seventh or even eighth in the Premiership.
Success in Europe for Chelsea or Aston Villa, and a club finishing between third and sixth in the table winning the FA Cup, could help enormously.
Chelsea's exit from the FA Cup was a boost, particularly if they were now to go on and win the European Cup Winners' Cup.
If they finished in their present position of third they would then go into that competition as holders, and the eventual winners of the FA Cup would join them.
With Aston Villa through to the UEFA Cup quarter finals, they too could yet qualify as winners - bringing an extra place.
A Premier League spokesman said: "You usually look at finishing in the top six to be reasonably sure of a European place.
"But it could well happen that clubs finishing lower than that will qualify this season." Rovers, of course, are still in the running for a crack at the Champions' League - if they finished second they would have to play a qualifier. Victory would mean entry into the lucrative Champions' League, defeat the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Cup.
There is one possible drawback to what is a promising scenario for Rovers. The Football League are still trying to have the UEFA Cup place restored for this season's Coca-Cola Cup and hope to know next month.
It looks a long shot but, if it were to succeed, that would reduce the UEFA places to three for Premiership positions.
Rovers will continue to aim as high as possible but, if they can maintain anything like their form over the first half of the season, should have no problem achieving their objective of a return to Europe. Meanwhile, Rovers are waiting for news of a scan on Gary Croft's back injury which kept him out of the game against Wigan.
"He hasn't been able to train for four or five days but we are hoping it isn't too bad," said Hodgson.
"The lad is anxious to get back into the team." Lars Bohinen has had his ribs checked after taking a nasty knock against Wigan and, happily, there is nothing broken. But he suffered quite a lot of bruising and will need to play through the pain barrier if he is to remain in contention.
Strikers Chris Sutton (thigh injury) and Kevin Gallacher, who suffered a painful kick in the back, have missed training. But the manager is hopeful they will be able to rejoin the squad in time to prepare for Sunday's trip to Derby.
There was also some good news for skipper Tim Sherwood, who will apply for a caution to be removed from his record after completing his fifth successive full game without a yellow card against Wigan.
Rovers Reserves match against Derby County at Ewood tonight has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Seats for the game at Liverpool on Saturday, January 31, are now on sale to season-ticket holders price £18 adults, £9 juniors only.
Ex-Rovers player Paul Warhurst, now with Crystal Palace, could be out for two months after breaking a leg for the third time in his career, against Scunthorpe on Saturday.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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