STEVEN Reid has set his sights on nailing down a regular place in the centre of Mark Hughes' midfield.

The Republic of Ireland international, who joined Blackburn Rovers in a £2.5 million deal from Millwall at the beginning of last season, has been a revelation since Hughes took the decision to move him into the centre as part of a five-man midfield last month.

Reid was arguably Rovers' best player as they picked up four points from two tough away games at Liverpool and Everton recently, and the 24-year-old is now hoping for an extended run in that role during the final two months of the season.

"I'm enjoying playing in the centre, I've got to admit," said Reid, who until recently had spent the majority of his Blackburn career playing out wide.

"It allows me to get involved a little bit more, and to get in amongst it, so hopefully if I continue playing that way then I can get a run in the side until the end of the season.

"I think that position suits my game. It gives me a bit of freedom to get about the park and join in with Paul Dickov when possible.

"I probably prefer playing there than playing out wide, to be honest, and I'm really enjoying it at the moment."

It has taken Reid a while to make his mark in the Premier League but he's now beginning to perform more consistently and he puts that down to the fact he's been given an extended run in the side.

"I think I can only improve by playing more regularly because the more games you play, the fitter and stronger you get, so hopefully I can stay in the side and improve more and more," said the Rovers midfielder.

Hughes' decision to switch to a 4-5-1 formation has not only helped to revive Reid's career, it has also coincided with an up-turn in Rovers' fortunes.

Arsenal's 1-0 victory at Ewood on Saturday was Rovers' first defeat in seven games and Brad Friedel has only conceded two goals in that period, to the Gunners' Robin van Persie and Burnley's Micah Hyde.

Nevertheless, Hughes has still been criticised for employing negative tactics in certain quarters and those comments have annoyed Reid and his team-mates, who feel they haven't had the credit they deserve for their performances leading up to the Arsenal game.

"At times we know we need to create a bit more and push more men forward," said Reid.

"But to go to Merseyside and get a win and a draw at a time when Everton were fourth in the league and Liverpool were fifth were two great results, and it proved that the system can work well."

In the meantime, Reid and his team-mates must now switch their attention to the forthcoming games against Manchester United and Southampton.

With eight games to go, Rovers still need to put two more wins on the board before everyone at Ewood can start to breathe more easily, and Reid would like to achieve that before next month's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal as that would act as a timely confidence boost ahead of the trip to Cardiff.

"There's a real buzz about the dressing room because of the Cup run at the moment and we want to go into that game having reached our safety target in the Premier League," added Reid.

"If we can do that then we can go into it with even more confidence and even though Arsenal will probably have a stronger side out (than they did on Saturday), I don't think there's anything to fear."

l ROVERS' game at West Brom has been switched to Tuesday April 26, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game was due to take place on Saturday April 16 but was postponed because of Rovers' FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium that weekend.