EWOOD exile Simon Grayson today backed Rovers to win the race for second spot after claiming Bolton are showing signs of cracking up.

Grayson -- who was due to complete a loan spell with Stockport today -- played a starring role in County's 1-1 draw at the Reebok earlier this week.

And the transfer-listed defender believes Sam Allardyce's men are starting to suffer from the effects of a long, hard season as the promotion race enters the final straight.

"I firmly believe Rovers are going up," said Grayson.

"We played Bolton on Tuesday night and they look to be suffering from a lack of confidence at the moment, especially at home.

"They came out and put us under pressure in the first 15 minutes but, once we weathered the storm and got back on level terms, we should have gone on to win it.

"I think they're starting to feel the pace whereas Blackburn look to be getting stronger.

"One of the big differences between the likes of them and Birmingham is when they get a few injuries they don't have the same strength in depth.

"But with Rovers they have the resources to slot players in who are equally as good as the ones they are replacing.

"Just look at the players who can't even get in the squad -- people like Egil Ostenstad, Marc Keller, Marlon Broomes and Alan Kelly. "That shows the kind of strength in depth the manager has available."

Ironically, that fierce competition for places has resulted in Grayson being told he no longer has a future at Ewood.

The 31-year-old full back has spent the last three months on loan at Edgeley Park in a bid to put himself in the shop window.

But his hopes of a permanent move to County appear to have been dashed -- for the time being at least.

"It's a bit of a shame I have to come back because I've really enjoyed my time over there," said Grayson.

"It's just been nice to have a game again after training all week and feel appreciated for what you are doing.

"As a footballer you get your buzz from playing on a Saturday so it's going to be hard to go back to Rovers and start training with the kids again.

"I spoke to Andy Kilner last week and he told me he would sign me tomorrow if he could.

"But the chairman has said he's a bit concerned that if they do go down then the wage situation would be very difficult for them.

"To a certain extent I wouldn't want to drop into the Second Division anyway because I still believe I can do a job for someone in the First Division.

"But if they stay up and decide to come back in in the summer then I'd have to access the situation.

"I certainly wouldn't rule it out because they made me feel really welcome."

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Graeme Souness insists he is not worried about what the rest of Rovers' promotion rivals are up to -- he is only interested in what his own side do.

"It's in our hands, at the end of the day," said Souness. "I've never worried about what other people are doing when I've been in this situation in the past, either as a player or a manager.

"It was always about what we were going to do.

"At the end of the game I might ask how another team has gone on.

"But I don't worry about it beforehand and I'd like to think the players think the same way.

"We are the best team in the league in my opinion and it's up to us to go and prove it."