ON-LOAN striker Florent Sinama Pongolle is hoping to impress Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez by scoring the goals that could take Blackburn into Europe.

The 21-year-old forward, who joined Rovers last week on a temporary basis from the European champions, has still not abandoned all hope of becoming a regular at Anfield under the Spaniard.

Pongolle has endured something of a frustrating season so far, having failed to nail down a regular starting place at Liverpool, where he found himself behind Peter Crouch, Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes in the pecking order.

Those opportunities then looked like becoming even more limited once Benitez made his sensational swoop for Robbie Fowler 10 days ago, prompting Pongolle to seek a loan move elsewhere.

Now, with that wish granted, the ambitious Frenchman hopes his spell at Ewood could end up being mutually beneficial because he knows Benitez will be watching his every move with great interest as he attempts to fire Rovers to a UEFA Cup place.

Mark Hughes' new recruit, who made his debut as a second half substitute in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at West Brom, said: "It has been a little bit frustrating.

"When you are a player, you just want to play some games and when you are not doing that, it becomes even more difficult to get your place.

"That's why (Rafa) Benitez let me come here and I just want to show what I can do, and what I can do for the team.

"If I can do my best for Blackburn Rovers, and help the team finish near the top of the table, then that can only be good for me and good for them."

Pongolle had the opportunity to join a number of different clubs, both in England and France, on loan once it became known that he might be available.

However, he eventually plumped for Rovers because he felt a move to Ewood offered him the best stage on which to showcase his talents.

"I spoke to my agent a week before the transfer window closed and we tried to find a solution," said Pongolle.

"There were clubs in France and England who were interested in me, but I decided to come here because I thought it would be good for me and, hopefully, it's good for the club, too.

"Benitez wanted me to stay in England so he could see me, and this is a really good challenge for me."

Pongolle, who scored three goals in 13 appearances for Liverpool this season prior to his loan move, has been impressed with what he has seen of his new club so far, despite the set-back at West Brom, where Rovers suffered their first Premiership defeat of 2006.

Now he's hoping to force his way into Hughes' starting eleven for Saturday's trip to Everton, where Rovers will be keen to get back on track following their below-par performance against Albion.

"I was ill last week but I've got myself fit. Now it's up to the manager to decide," said Pongolle.

"I want to do my best for Blackburn so we can have a good end to the season, and I don't see why we can't finish in a European place at the end of it."

As for where he sees his future beyond that, Pongolle is keeping his options open.

He added: "I'm just focusing on the next three months and then we'll see after that.

"I just want to play at the moment."