Pedersen sights set on Europe

Morten Gamst Pedersen has revealed the sights of Blackburn Rovers' players are set firmly on claiming a place in Europe.

Rovers host Middlesbrough on Saturday and Pedersen knows his side can take a step nearer to consolidating a top-six position by claiming another three points.

Pedersen believes his team-mates need only look at the achievements of the Ewood Park opposition in order to whet their appetite for excursions of their own next season.

"I've never played in Europe but Tromso, the club I used to play for, played there this season," Pedersen told Sky Sports News.

"The rest of the players want to do that, it's a big thing to play in Europe.

"You might get a trophy you never know - if you see what teams like Middlesbrough are doing - they beat Roma at The Riverside and then get beaten 2-1 away and they are through so anything's possible."

Mark Hughes's side only trail fourth placed Tottenham by three points and could yet claim a place in next season's UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

If Rovers are to achieve their European goal, then Pedersen believes his side can afford to look no further than this weekend's Boro test.

"The most important thing is to take it one game at a time," added Pedersen.

"We must keep the focus on that, now it's the Middlesbrough game on Saturday and if we get three points we're one step closer."