ALAN Shearer's goals can still shoot Blackburn Rovers into a qualifying place for next season's UEFA Cup.

That's the Ewood and England striker's target - and Rovers boss Ray Harford believes that, after a "big week", it's now a possibility.

Shearer's fifth hat-trick of the season sank Spurs at White Hart Lane on Saturday to raise Rovers' hopes.

And the man who has now scored 34 times this season pinpointed a high-enough League finish for Europe as his major goal.

"That's what we have been aiming for since we went out of the cup competitions," he said.

"It was a tremendous team effort to beat Spurs. We have worked our socks off and no one player should get the headlines.

"We'll be doing our best to qualify for Europe but no-one's getting carried away."

Shearer's hopes were backed up by his boss, who was delighted with the fact that his severely depleted squad were able to collect maximum points from the two games against Leeds and Spurs before their campaign went into cold storage again for a fortnight.

"A place in Europe is now within our sights again. Six points in a week makes a difference," said Harford.

"They were three big points against Leeds and it was the same against Spurs.

"Spurs think they have a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe, so we must have one too."

The manager had the bonus of seeing Chris Sutton return to action after more than three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury and he also paid special tribute to Nicky Marker, a player who only gets rare chances but who never lets the side down.

"Nicky has been magnificent for us," said Harford.

"We have had to cope with the worst injury list - by a million miles - that I have ever known as a manager.

"I think the regular two games a week earlier in the season have caught up with us."

Rovers don't play again until after the transfer deadline on March 28 and they are still attempting to bring in new players.

By then, they will have skipper Tim Sherwood available again after completing his two-match suspension but Colin Hendry is likely to have to start a two-game ban. The injury situation should also have eased with the likes of Lars Bohinen, Jason Wilcox and Stuart Ripley - as well as Sutton - challenging for places.

Manchester City's midfield man Garry Flitcroft is a name that continues to be mentioned as a likely target for Rovers.

The problem could be City's precarious position.

As we have already reported, Rovers are believed to have inquired about him but City will be reluctant to release any of their regulars until they can ensure Premiership safety.

The Maine Road club, however, are understood to be looking for an influx of cash and Flitcroft would be rated around the £4 million mark.

Whether Rovers have to wait until the end of the season to renew their interest remains to be seen but that might be a possibility.

Both Rovers A and B teams won 3-0 at the weekend. The A team beat Bury at Brockhall, while the B team triumphed at Stockport.

Scotland's squad for their friendly with Australia later this month was set to be announced today, with three Ewood players all in with a chance of being named.

Colin Hendry, Billy McKinlay and Kevin Gallacher were hoping to be in favour with Scottish coach Craig Brown for the first game since they qualified for this summer's European Championship finals.

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