UPBEAT Tony Parkes has refused to rule out a dramatic push for a place in Europe.

The Blackburn Rovers caretaker boss saw his side win their first away game of the campaign with an emphatic 2-0 victory at Everton.

And while his immediate aim is to continue the climb away from the relegation zone there is a new mood of optimism following a Christmas return of seven points from three tough games.

Parkes feels that home form is the key to survival.

"We play one or two teams around us now so we need to play well at home and that will keep us in the Premiership.

"We would have settled for five points over Christmas but it's a bonus to have seven.

"That was the best we have played all season away from home.

"But we have still a lot to do and a lot of hard work ahead.

"When you are in the bottom three you look at fourth from bottom and when you are there you look a bit higher.

"But I'm not saying we can't get a European place."

While the 63 points Arsenal needed to qualify for the Uefa Cup last season is asking a lot, the Premiership is a tighter competition this year. Parkes has collected 16 points from his 10 games in charge since the departure of Ray Harford in October.

And Rovers are now only eight points away from the top half of the table.

While the Everton teamsheet stated that Sven Goran Eriksson was in charge, Parkes is already learning the pressures of an extended spell in management.

"I'm only getting a taste for it when we win!

"But I'm like a full-time manager now and you get a few more problems as the weeks and months go on."

One of those problems is the Shay Given situation, the young Irish goalkeeper still refusing to sign a new contract.

Parkes preferred a fit again Tim Flowers. And he stressed that Flowers would remain number one choice as long as Given intended to leave Ewood when his contract expires at the end of the season.

A youth international match to be played at Gigg Lane on Tuesday, January 14 between England and Scotland (kick-off 7.30pm) has meant that the third round FA Youth Cup tie between Rovers and Bury has been put back 24 hours to January 15, kick-off 7pm.

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