BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has told his players not to dwell on last week's setback at West Bromwich Albion as they attempt to get their European charge back on track at Everton this weekend.
Rovers passed up a golden chance to go sixth in the table last weekend when they slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the Hawthorns.
That was Rovers' first Premiership defeat of 2006 and Hughes is determined to make sure that result doesn't have an adverse effect on his players' confidence as they prepare for two massive games against Everton and Sunderland over the space of the next seven days.
"The West Brom result was a setback," admitted Hughes, who is hoping to have Craig Bellamy back for the trip to Goodison on Saturday.
"It was an opportunity to kick on and the results (last weekend) also went a little bit for us.
"But we hope that performance hasn't damaged us too much. We'll only know the answer to that at the end of the season, but we've now got to pick ourselves up because we've got another big game against Everton.
"You can't dwell on the games that have gone, we can only concentrate on the ones ahead of us and we've got some big games coming up - starting at the weekend."
Everton are sure to provide another stern test of Rovers' mettle after embarking on an impressive run of form in the Premiership since the turn of the year.
In fact, Toffees boss David Moyes even believes his players are capable of mounting a late charge for Europe themselves - a notion that seemed unthinkable two months ago when the club was firmly entrenched in a relegation battle at the foot of the table.
However, a six-match unbeaten run has turned their season around and it's now conceivable the Blues could emerge as serious challengers for the top six place that Rovers are chasing, which makes the outcome of Saturday's game all the more important.
Despite last week's setback in the Midlands, Rovers still remain well placed to mount a strong charge between now and the end of the season.
And midfielder Robbie Savage insists it's vital he and his team-mates keep believing they can muscle in on a UEFA Cup spot between now and May.
"We've got realistic aims," said Savage.
"We've still got Craig Bellamy to come back, Florent Sinama-Pongolle has just come in, and David Bentley showed what he's all about with his hat-trick (last week), so we've got a good chance - let's start believing.
"We might be a small town club, but why can't we upset some of the bigger teams?
"I think a lot of people wouldn't like to see us get there because they'd prefer to see the so-called bigger clubs, but let's cause a shock and get there and prove everybody wrong."
Meanwhile, Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena will be available for Saturday's game despite suffering a deep gash in his leg in a reserve match earlier this week.
The South African international limped off five minutes into the match on Monday, but the wound will not keep him out of action.
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