PLUCKY scouser David Thompson last night admitted he's now beginning to look forward rather than back after finally emerging from his injury nightmare.

The former Liverpool midfielder, who is pushing for a starting role against his boyhood heroes Everton tomorrow, has seen the last three years of his career wrecked by one injury set-back after another.

Thompson was just about to enter his peak as a player when he was cruelly struck down by a knee problem in the opening months of 2003.

At first, the 28-year-old didn't realise the seriousness of his condition and only anticipated being out for a couple of months.

However, that injury proved to be the start of a series of recurring problems and Thompson has been in and out of the treatment room ever since.

There were times, during the darker moments, when Thompson would drift into a state of self-pity, reflecting on the injustice of being robbed of some of his best years rather than channelling his energies into rehabilitation.

But then the one-time England hopeful had 'a road to Damascus moment' and he's rarely looked back ever since.

"I'm definitely stronger mentally now," said Thompson, as he reflected on his enforced period of exile.

"I remember this guy once said 'don't look back unless you can smile, and only look forward if you can dream'.

"I think there was a point when I was looking back too much at all the bad times and getting too frustrated about the time I missed.

"At the time of my injury, I was just coming into my prime, I think, and everything I'd worked for, and everything I'd practised for was just coming right.

"It was then so disappointing to get an injury at that time.

"But, now, I try not to ponder on what could have been and focus more on looking back at the good times.

"I know I've got a lot of time to make up for, but I want to play well and try and achieve something in the game.

"I want to win some trophies because that's something I haven't done yet as a player."

If Wednesday night's performance against Charlton in the Carling Cup is anything to go by then Thompson could yet achieve his goal.

Rovers were trailing 2-0, and heading out of the competition at The Valley, when Thompson made a spectacular entrance from the bench.

Within minutes, Shefki Kuqi grabbed a lifeline for Rovers, before Thompson then restored parity with a sumptuous equaliser in the 81st minute, thus laying the foundations for David Bentley to snatch a dramatic late winner.

'Thommo' celebrated his goal by planting a kiss on his left knee, a tribute to Dr Hans Muller-Wolfhart, the German physician who devised the strengthening period that enabled him to overcome his most recent injury problem in the summer.

"When Muller-Wolfhart helped Giovane Elber, he gave his knee a kiss when he scored his first goal after coming back so I said 'I'll do that for you too, doc, when I score my first goal'.

"So that was a little one for him because he helped to get me back on track, as did the medical team at Blackburn."

Now Thompson and Rovers must switch their sights to tomorrow's clash with Everton, the team he grew up supporting as a young boy.

After two impressive cameos from the bench, he feels ready to start his first game since the final day of last season, although he will respect any decision manager Mark Hughes decides to make.

"I want to start, but that's just me," he added.

"I think I can start, but whether I can complete a full game or not, that's a different story.

"The gaffer deserves a lot of credit for the way he's looked after me. He hasn't rushed me at all and that's taken the pressure off me because it has allowed me to get on with my work in training and get to where I am at the minute."