John Eustace insists Blackburn Rovers' aim has to be a return to the Premier League but that will only come with good investment and time.

Rovers sit ninth in the Championship table as we approach a 23-game run of uninterrupted fixtures. After three international breaks in as many months, this is now a defining stage of the season over the festive period and up to March.

Having narrowly escaped relegation last term, Blackburn's results and performances have given fans hope of a grander prize in May. The open nature of this year's division has created the impression that there are spaces to be won in the top-six.

That could be Rovers and whilst this season could be one step too soon, Eustace insisted the end goal has to be promotion. But that will only come by continually improving the squad with clever recruitment and investment.

READ MORE: EUSTACE ON ROVERS' TRANSFER PRIORITIES

"It shows we are doing the right things to be where we are but we'd still like more points," Eustace said on being sat in ninth.

"Over the course of 15 games, we've shown really good signs of doing some good things. We're a good team and we've only let ourselves down on a few occasions. Some games we have played very well and not got results.

"It's about growing and evolving as a group. A third of the way through, we're content with where we are but we want more. 

"The group is fantastic to work with and it's important to keep building and keep investing. We want this club to go forward and that's why I came here.

"The ambition has to be to get back in the Premier League and that doesn't happen without good people and good investment. We will give it a go (this season) but the most important thing is to keep improving.

"We have players who don't know the leagues, they're getting used to those levels. The group can stick together and you are building a core group that you can add to each summer. Who knows where that can then take you?"

Portsmouth have only won two of their first 15 games after promotion from League One. Rovers have already dispatched Derby County and Oxford United at home this term and want to get back to winning ways at Ewood.

"I have watched their last six or seven games but they're a very good team. They haven't had the rub of the green in some games," Eustace said.

"They should have more points than they have, they were excellent against Preston. They score in nearly every game, John (Mousinho) is an excellent coach with a team that are fighting. It will be a tough game.

"They should have more points and I expect them to climb the league by the end of the season.

"If you win games, it breeds confidence. We've trained well for two weeks and we're excited to be back at Ewood. We've had two defeats in a row at home and so we want to put that right.

"It's a fantastic feeling when you're winning but it's not nice when you're losing. It's my job as the head coach to navigate us through those difficult moments and instil that belief. We have great players and great fans so I hope we have more good days than bad going forward."