PAUL Dickov is ready to snub interest from a posse of Premiership suitors and put pen to paper on a new deal with Blackburn Rovers.

The 33-year-old striker, who is in contention for a first team recall after recovering from a shoulder injury, is wanted by FOUR separate clubs as he enters the final few months of his current contract.

But the Scotland international will reject lucrative offers to go elsewhere in favour of committing his future to Rovers, where he is enjoying working under Mark Hughes as the club closes in on a place in Europe.

"The club have said there will be a contract for me so it's just a matter of sitting down and getting it sorted out," said Dickov, whose present deal runs out in the summer.

"I want to stay here, the club know that, and even if we weren't in the position we are in, I'd still want to stay because I've enjoyed my time here and I want that to continue.

"The fact the club is going places as well makes it even better and I want to be a part of that.

"Stories appeared (in the national press) saying I was getting frustated at not playing every week but I haven't clue where that came from.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed every time I miss a game, whether I'm left out or I'm injured, but to say I fell out with the manager is totally wide of the mark.

"Me and the manager talk quite a bit and we've got a good relationship so for anyone to say any different is ridiculous."

Rovers received offers for Dickov from three different Premiership clubs - believed to be Manchester City, Everton and Wigan Athletic - during the January transfer window but all were rejected out of hand by Hughes at the time.

Now that trio of clubs are watching developments closely knowing they will be able to sign Dickov on a free in the summer should the former Leicester player fail to agree new terms with Rovers.

And Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is also keen on Dickov, too, but, assuming Rovers make him an offer he deems acceptable, the spikey forward will extend his stay at Ewood, where he hopes to have a European campaign to look forward to next term.

Rovers moved up to fifth position in the Premier League table, just three points off the Champions League places, following Saturday's magnificent 1-0 win over Arsenal.

That result and performance provided further compelling evidence of Rovers' European credentials, although Dickov insists it's vital his team-mate don't start believing the hype surrounding their surge up the Premier League table if they are to gatecrash the top four.

"That result was massive in terms of confidence," said the Scot.

"If you'd told us at the start of the season if you beat Arsenal then you'll go ahead of them in the table' we probably would have said you're off your head'.

"But now we've got to make sure we don't start getting over confident. We've put ourselves in a great position and we've got to make sure we keep improving and take that next step now, which, to be fair, is what we have done all season."

That win means Rovers' game with Tottenham on Sunday has now taken on added significance as just one place and three points separate the two sides in the table.

Dickov put himself in contention for a possible return at White Hart Lane by coming through his first competitive outing in five weeks when he appeared for the reserves on Monday night.

However, the veteran frontman admits he faces a fight to win back his place following the recent arrival of Florent Sinama Pongolle who, together with Shefki Kuqi and David Bentley, is also battling for the right to partner Craig Bellamy in attack.

"I know it's going to be hard to force my way back in because it's been like that all season," added Dickov.

"But the main thing for me at the minute is I'm fit and ready if needed."