ROVERS winger Damien Duff plans to use victory over Birmingham City tomorrow as a springboard for promotion, having been accused of diving by Blues boss Trevor Francis when Blackburn took the points on Boxing Day.

Duff helped Rovers clinch a dramatic 2-1 win when the free-kick he was awarded deep in injury-time fell for Matt Jansen to drive home the winner at Ewood Park.

Francis claimed Duff had dived to win the free-kick but the Republic of Ireland international insists City didn't have a case.

He said: "I remember getting fouled in the corner and Birmingham complaining about it.

"But 20 minutes before that I didn't get a blatant penalty in the box so I don't think they can complain.

"Trevor Francis never said anything to my face, I just saw what he said in the papers.

"But I don't know what he was on about because we definitely deserved to win on the day."

Those three points helped Blackburn climb into the promotion frame and leapfrog Birmingham, who are now sixth, along the way.

A seventh win in eight games in front of the Sky cameras at St Andrews tomorrow could take Graeme Souness's men into the top two, depending on how Bolton fared today at Sheffield Wednesday, and with all the top sides to play over the next few weeks Rovers have the chance to cement their place near the top of the table.

Duff added: "It's a huge game, it's on Sky again, and it's a chance for us to impress everyone like we did against Burnley.

"But the most important thing is three points. We've got some big games coming up, starting with Birmingham, and the next month or so could shape our season."

Duff is a key figure in Rovers' promotion prospects but admits that the arrival of fellow Irishman Alan Mahon and French international Marc Keller will keep him on his toes.

And the 21-year-old has been working hard to meet the requirements of manager Graeme Souness.

"I'd signed a new contract at the start of the season because I have a lot of respect for the manager and he's someone I feel I can learn off.

"He's got me working on the defensive side of my game because wingers have got to have two sides to their game these days.

"My strong point is the attacking side but the manager is helping me defensively," said Duff, who has timed his return to form to perfection.

"I think it took me a while to get going this season, for whatever reason, then I picked up a couple of injuries which held me back.

"But I'd like to think I'm back to my best now, which is taking people on," he said.

Jason McAteer returns to the squad after missing the last two games due to a family bereavement.

And David Dunn is also back after suspension, although Mark Hughes will be missing again as he completes the second game of a two-match ban.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Berg, Taylor, Flitcroft, Dunn, McAteer, Mahon, Hignett, Duff, Bent, Jansen, Ostenstad, Kenna, Keller, Douglas, Dunning, Filan.

Meanwhile, Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett faces a fitness test after missing last weekend's win at Barnsley because of 'flu.

And Francis also has a headache over who to play upfront with Dele Adebola now back in contention after missing the trip to Oakwell with toothache.

Brazilian striker Marcelo, Peter Ndlovu, and record signing Geoff Horsfield are also pushing for a starting place.

BIrmingham are likely to choose from: Bennett, Gill, Johnson M, Purse, Grainger, Eaden, O'Connor, Sonner, Lazaridis, Adebola, Ndlovu, Poole, Burrows, Horsfield, Marcelo, Hughes.