PAUL Dickov is ready to boost Blackburn Rovers' bid for Europe by making a dramatic return to action against Arsenal next week.

The veteran striker is making rapid progress in his quest to recover from the collarbone injury he suffered in Rovers' 1-0 win at Newcastle last month.

And, providing the 33-year-old doesn't suffer any setbacks over the next seven days, he could be ready for a first team return when the Gunners visit Ewood a week tomorrow for a match that could be of huge significance in the race to secure a top-six finish.

Dickov broke his collarbone in an accidental clash with Newcastle defender Titus Bramble at St James' Park on January 21 and specialists claimed he would be out for at least a month because he also suffered a dislocation as part of the injury.

However, the Scotland international was determined to get fit as quickly as possible and if he recovers in time for the Arsenal game then he will be back playing competitively again slightly ahead of schedule.

"Paul set himself the Arsenal game as his target and he's on course to achieve that," said Rovers' chairman John Williams today.

"He's been running for some time now on his own and he could be ready to train with the rest of the squad next week."

Dickov has not joined the rest of the squad in Dubai, where they are currently enjoying a short training break, opting instead to stay behind and work on a one-to-one basis with head physio, Dave Fevre, to give himself the best possible chance of being fit to face the Gunners.

His return would come as a massive boost to manager Mark Hughes, who recently had to bring in Florent Sinama Pongolle on loan to ease the burden up front.

Hughes is also hoping leading scorer Craig Bellamy is now over his injury problems and ready to play a full part between now and the end of the season.

Bellamy has only started 11 Premiership games this term after being plagued by hamstring and knee injuries, but Hughes is confident those problems are now behind him.

"The idea is to play him in every game from now on," said the Rovers boss.

"Every game is important from now until the end of the season, in terms of where we want to go, and if we can keep him fit for each of the games we have left then we would hope we will reach the targets that we've set ourselves."