ROVERS hot-shot Marcus Bent is aiming to outgun West Brom marksman Jason Roberts as Ewood braces itself for a battle of the strikers tomorrow.

Bent is currently in white-hot form after scoring two crucial goals in the space of four days to lead Rovers to vital victories over Watford and Bolton last week.

And with fifth-placed Albion now next up at Ewood, the former Sheffield United goal-ace is out to extend his scoring streak.

"The goals are starting to come for me now," said Bent, who's scored eight times in 14 starts since his £2.1 million move from Bramall Lane.

"I've not started every game but I'm beginning to feel like I can score goals here.

"And when I start feeling confident and feeling like I can play as well as I can do, then that's when you get the best out of me.

"It was a massive week, not only for me, but for the whole team last week.

"There's been more pressure on me here -- knowing we've got to win every game -- than anywhere else.

"So this is a new stage for me but I'm confident I can come through it."

Albion will come to Ewood without the services of 18-goal top-scorer Lee Hughes who is out through suspension.

But boss Gary Megson can still call on plenty of firepower with veteran hitman Bob Taylor likely to partner 15-goal striker Jason Roberts in attack.

And it promises to be mouthwatering duel with Bent and strike-partner Matt Jansen boasting 16 goals between them in Rovers' last 15 games.

"We've just got to keep playing how we're playing and I think we'll overtake Bolton," said Bent.

"They play Fulham this weekend and we've got West Brom which are both crunch games.

"But then, every game is a crunch game now, so it's up to us to show what we can do."

Rovers boss Graeme Souness has a selection poser regarding who to bring in for suspended skipper Garry Flitcroft.

Israeli international Eyal Berkovic could be handed his home debut as part of a five-man midfield or former French international Marc Keller could come back into the equation after failing to feature in Rovers' last four games.

And the Ewood chief also has the option of playing either Mark Hughes or Craig Hignett in a central midfield role.

However, Souness will keep his team selection a closely guarded secret right up until kick off.

"I'm not going to say what I'm thinking of doing because I don't want them to know our gameplan," said Souness.

"But we have several options available to us so they'll have to wait and see what we are going to do."

Stig Bjornebye is unlikely to return after injury while Jason McAteer is doubtful due to personal problems.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Short, Berg, Dunn, Duff, Mahon, Hughes, Gillespie, Jansen, Bent, Berkovic, Keller, Hignett, McAteer, Taylor, Filan.

Meanwhile, West Brom boss Gary Megson admits his players will need to be on their mettle if they are to stop Rovers' promotion bandwagon in its tracks.

"Blackburn looked very impressive last Friday so it's going to be very tough for us.

"They could afford to leave the likes of Mark Hughes, Craig Hignett and Eyal Berkovic on the bench so they've got great resources.

"But we beat them at our place in what was a very tight game and I'd like to see more of the same.

"I don't see why we should go there with trepidation.

"But our toughest opposition is often ourselves and if we don't go at it full tilt then Blackburn have got the firepower to give any team a hiding."

Aside from Hughes, ever-present Neil Clement is also ruled out through suspension while Megson faces a choice between Adam Chambers and the fit-again Des Lyttle at right wing back.

West Brom will choose from: Hoult, Butler, Sigurdsson, Carbon, Chambers (A), Fox, Appleton, Sneekes, Van Blerk, Roberts, Taylor, Jensen, Derveld, Quinn, Lyttle, Jordao, Burgess.