FORMER Blackburn favourite David Thompson heads back to Ewood tonight desperate to show Wigan manager Paul Jewell why he's worth a new deal.

The injury-plagued midfielder quit Rovers to join the Latics in January on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

And with just seven games of the campaign remaining, Thompson knows that time is running out in his battle to persuade Jewell that he's worth another contract.

The 28-year-old's spell with Rovers was blighted by a series of injuries and he spent long periods on the sidelines battling to overcome various problems.

Eventually, manager Mark Hughes decided a clean break would best suit both parties so he sanctioned Thompson's move to the JJB during the January transfer window.

"David was really unlucky in his time here," said Hughes.

"He'd worked extremely hard to get back playing again at Premier League level and he showed in glimpses for us that he still had that ability - but it wasn't to be.

"I just felt we had young players coming through that would be pushing him next season and David, obviously, wanted to try and secure a contract for next season so he moved on.

"But there's no doubting his ability and he used to be great around the place as well.

"He's a great character and it's definitely quieter here because he's not around anymore."

Thompson made an immediate impact at Wigan, scoring on his debut in a dramatic 3-2 win at Middlesbrough.

Since then, however, the former Liverpool and Coventry star has found himself in and out of the side, mainly because he was cup-tied for the FA and Carling Cups.

Now with the Latics free to concentrate solely on the Premiership and the battle for a top six finish, Thompson is hoping to show Jewell what he's got to offer during the run-in.

Hughes added: "I'm sure he's slipped very easily into the dressing room at Wigan because he's that type of character.

"He's a bubbly person and he's always got a joke or a prank and we've missed that from him.

"He was getting a little bit frustrated (towards the end at Blackburn) because we were playing exceptionally well at the time and he couldn't force his way into the side.

"He knew he had to get out and play to show what he could do so I think that was the motivation behind him leaving and I'm sure he'll find something for the summer."