BLACKBURN Rovers comeback kids Jay McEveley and Jay Bothroyd are determined to make the most of their return to first team action.

Both players were given their first starts of the season on Saturday, and played a vital role in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool that lifted Blackburn off the bottom of the Premiership.

Bothroyd scored Rovers' opening goal and although McEveley's poor pass let in Liverpool for the equaliser, it was the only blight on an assured performance deputising for the injured Dominic Matteo.

Although Bothroyd has made a handful of substitute appearances since joining from Perugia in the summer it was his first Premiership start since 2001, when he was at Coventry.

McEveley hadn't appeared for Rovers at all since the final day of the 2002-03 season and Saturday was his first game since suffering a dislocated knee cap playing for Burnley during a loan spell in January.

"It's been a long wait since two seasons ago and I've been waiting for this chance," said McEveley.

"It's been a frustrating year for me. I went out on loan and had the injury and had to work hard to try to get myself back pre-season.

"I thought, 'right I'm going to do it this year' and I've come back and worked my way back into it.

"It's another step closer to putting myself back on the ladder now and hopefully climbing up and giving the manager a problem for selection next weekend when we're at Norwich."

Blackburn's next opponents replaced them at the bottom on Saturday, but the Canaries have the chance to put it right at Manchester City tonight.

However, Rovers can still look ahead to the Carrow Road clash with renewed confidence, particularly after the fresh impetus Bothroyd gave them in attack before he was withdrawn after 65 minutes.

"I had a groin injury in the week and felt it in the second half," said Bothroyd.

"There's a great bunch of lads at Blackburn, we've got a good squad and great dressing room atmosphere so now all we have to do is push on."