RUBEN Rochina believes Blackburn Rovers’ record against some of the Premier League’s top teams gives them hope of a result at Manchester City next weekend.

Rovers’ early FA Cup exit means they are not in action this weekend but they return to action next Saturday when they travel to the Etihad Stadium for a 5.30pm kick-off, with the game to be shown live on Sky.

A trip to the league leaders is a daunting one but Rochina believes that Rovers often produce their best performances against the Premier League big boys.

Rovers caused arguably the upset of the season when they won 3-2 at Manchester United on New Year’s Eve, with the Spaniard regarding that victory and the draw at Liverpool five days earlier as the highlight of the campaign so far.

Steve Kean’s side also won at home in September and Rochina says Rovers will go to Manchester City believing they can add to their points tally.

“It is a very difficult game but we will try to take one point or three points,” said the 20-year-old, who is eager for a return to the side for the game.

“We will try to play well and give everything on the pitch.

“We had a good point at Liverpool and then a very important three points at Old Trafford.

“Nobody thought we could take those four points, only us.

“It was a great four points for us.

“I think we play better against the big teams.

“It’s football, you play well against the good teams and sometimes you play badly against other teams.

“We need to try to play the same in all of the games.”

Rovers currently sit 17th in the table after a difficult season, with fans unhappy with the reign of Kean and owners Venky’s.

But Rochina believes it is a campaign that has brought the playing squad closer together and the threat of relegation to the Championship has made them all the more determined to secure results.

“Every player wants to play in the Premier League,” he said.

“Nobody wants to be relegated, but the only thing is to work hard and be together.

“It’s difficult because nobody likes this situation but we try to be together.

“We need to be together for every game, every time with the fans, everyone.

“There have been some good moments – winning at Old Trafford or one point at Liverpool were good moments for us.

“But the most important thing is being safe in the league table.

“For us that’s the most important thing this season.”

With no game this weekend Rovers’ squad have been given some time off ahead of the Manchester City game.

They will be without Jason Lowe for the trip to Etihad, with the midfielder set to start a two-match suspension after collecting his 10th booking of the season in the 3-2 home win over QPR last weekend.

That looks set to open up a spot in the midfield, although Rovers will hope David Dunn is fit to return from a calf injury and Radosav Petrovic could also come into contention in a central role.

Rovers will again be missing Gael Givet, who serves the second game of his three-match ban.