JASON Roberts insists Blackburn Rovers are on the verge of “something special” after committing his long-term future to Ewood Park.

The powerful striker has put pen to paper on a three-year deal in Lancashire and imme-diately vowed to help fire Rovers up the Premier League table.

Title-chasers Chelsea are Sunday’s visitors but, despite going five games without a win, Roberts is adamant Paul Ince’s men are agonisingly close to roaring up the Premier League.

He said: “We all like big games. It is a fantastic game and a chance for us to do something quite special.

“Consistency has been the key and we all know that. To be relatively successful you need to be consistent.

“I don’t think everything has come together at one time but once it does I think we click in and it won’t be too much of an issue.

“I honestly believe we are a result away from putting something special together. The season has been disrupted and there are still new structures being put into place.

“We are all confident at this club we will be successful. It is alright to say that though, we have to get it done sooner rather than later.”

Roberts will hope to retain his place in Rovers’ attack for the visit of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men, after a stirring display in Saturday’s 2-2 thriller at West Bromwich Albion.

Benni McCarthy’s suspension and injury doubts hanging over Roque Santa Cruz will help his cause, as he looks to score his first Premier League goal since the end of August.

“Benni is gutted,” he said. “He loves playing big games and he would have relished Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.

“It is tough getting a regular place in any Premier League team but I know a few goals in the next few weeks can only help.

“I believe I have done enough to earn my contract and I will be doing everything I can to help Rovers get a result.”

Chelsea’s impressive start to the campaign has left Roberts fearing “an even better team than last year”, but he has urged his team-mates to forget about their opponents.

He said: “I think they are even better now. They look stronger and have a different team ethos.

“I don’t we can think too much about them. We have to think about our own ability and concentrate on what we can bring to the game.

“We can’t affect what they do. All we can do is make it uncomfortable. We will work out our game plan but we can’t affect what they do.

“I think a few clubs don’t fancy playing against us.We will try and take that into the game but they are a fantastic side.”

Roberts’ new contract will keep him at Ewood until 2011, with an option of another year afterwards.

It has not always been plain sailing for the 30-year-old since his £3million switch from Wigan in 2006, including a transfer request last campaign, but, now back in first-team contention, he insists it was easy to commit to Rovers.

He said: “I’ve been happy since I’ve been here for the majority of the time, so I’m happy that it is now signed, sealed and delivered.

”I hope to show the best of my abilities on the pitch.

“It is for another three seasons so I’m very happy with that.

"I feel good, I feel strong, I feel like I’ve got a lot of experience and hopefully it will all come together now.”