MORTEN Gamst Pedersen is hoping to be the inspiration behind another famous Cup run as Blackburn Rovers kick-off their FA Cup campaign with a third round tie at home to QPR tomorrow.

The Norwegian international was something of a lucky charm last season, scoring crucial goals against Cardiff and Burnley as Rovers reached their first semi-final in 45 years.

Now the 24-year-old, who was linked with a move to Tottenham earlier this week, is planning to repeat that same magic again as Rovers begin the chase for honours on three separate fronts going into the second half of the season.

"We reached the semi-finals last season and I'd love to go back to the Millennium Stadium again - or even Wembley if it's ready by then," said Pedersen.

"We're playing with confidence at the moment, but football is football and you don't get easy games, even when you are playing a team that is one step down from you.

"Everyone can beat you on their day so you have to keep the same levels and work hard. But if we do that then we'll see where it takes us."

Rovers kicked off a hectic month turn to page 51 from back page with a gritty 2-1 win over Portsmouth on Monday, thanks in no small part to another stunning goal from Pedersen.

Now they face two massive cup ties in the space of the next five days, with Manchester United also set to visit Ewood next Wednesday in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-finals, and the outcome of those two games could go a long way to defining the rest of Rovers' season.

With the team in top form though, confidence is sky high in the Rovers camp at present, and no-one epitomises that more than Pedersen, who has scored two stunning goals since returning to the side following a well-earned rest over Christmas.

"You never want to rest when you're playing football, you want to play all the time, so they had to force me to take a break," said the Norwegian.

"But I'm feeling better for it now and it's good to be back.

"I like scoring goals, particularly when they're spectacular, but a goal is a goal and I'll take them however they come."

Pedersen has happy memories of the FA Cup and not just because Rovers reached the semi-finals in his first season in English football.

It was at this stage of the competition last season when the former Tromso star got his big chance to impress manager Mark Hughes after three months out of the side.

Brett Emerton was laid low by a bug on the eve of Rovers' third round tie with Cardiff so Pedersen took his place in the side and scored, and he hasn't looked back since.

"It was a really hard time," he said.

"When I first arrived, I was thrown straight on the pitch, I played three games and then after that, I didn't play again for another three months.

"But I just kept working hard, I kept smiling, I tried to show the manager that I was a good player, and then when a chance came along I had to make sure I took it, which fortunately I did against Cardiff."

Hughes is likely to freshen up his side by making several changes tomorrow, but he will still field a strong team against a Rangers outfit who are mid-table in the Championship.