DAVID Thompson believes Blackburn Rovers are capable of challenging for Europe next season under forward-thinking manager Mark Hughes.

Thompson has been so impressed by the job Hughes has overseen at Ewood Park that he believes a push for the top six is not out of the question.

Such a statement might seem bold on Thompson's part with Rovers still not completely clear of relegation trouble with a couple of months of the season still remaining.

However, Sunday's win at Champions League-chasing Everton provided further evidence that Rovers are closing the gap on the teams in the top of the Premier League table and Thompson is convinced that his team-mates can emulate the Toffees' achievements next season if they continue to progress under Hughes' shrewd guidance.

"In many ways, Everton have become the benchmark for the rest of us," said Thompson, who played a starring role in Sunday's 1-0 victory at Goodison.

"It's a tough league. You have the top three, maybe four if you include Newcastle or Liverpool. They are the clubs who have a lot of money.

"The rest of us are much of a muchness but Everton are doing it with hard work and shrewd buys.

"Hopefully, we can kick on next season. I look at Everton and think that could be us."

Rovers have certainly made great strides since Hughes arrived as the successor to Graeme Souness in September.

Sunday's victory at Everton saw them climb up to 14th in the Premier League table - their highest placing since the second weekend of the season.

However, Hughes is not getting carried away by the progress his players have made so far, particularly as Rovers face daunting games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United in the space of the next few weeks, as well as an FA Cup quarter final against Leicester on Sunday.

"It's a difficult period for us against teams in the top half of the table but we went to Everton and played a team who are fourth in the league and I thought we were by far the better side, so I don't think any team that we play at the moment will hold fear for us," said the Rovers boss.

"If we approach the rest of the games in the same way then I think we'll give any team a problem."

Hughes still feels Rovers need two more wins before they can banish all thoughts of relegation, then he can start to plan for next season.

"I think 35 or 36 points will be enough this year. We are at the stage now where the teams below us are running out of games," added the Rovers chief.

"We've just got to get on with our own business and make sure we finish the season in the right manner then we set ourselves up for next year."

Meanwhile, Hughes is hopeful Paul Dickov will be fit to face the Foxes on Sunday.

Dickov suffered a nasty gash to his leg during the first half of the Everton game, which resulted in him being substituted, but the club's medical staff managed to get the swelling down fairly quickly and they are confident he will make a sufficient recovery in time to face his former club.