THEY may both have hit the Premier League jackpot but old pals Jason Roberts and Bobby Zamora will go head to head tonight knowing more than most the ‘high life’ should never be taken for granted.

Fast cars, huge wages and world-wide exposure – just some of the benefits of playing in ‘the best league in the world’. But it wasn’t always the champagne lifestyle for the much-travelled striking duo.

A 20-year-old Roberts was just making his way up the footballing ladder at League One Bristol Rovers in 1999 when Zamora joined him at the Pirates as a trainee.

Roberts’ form meant Zamora struggled to get a look in as the cash-strapped club, leaving him shipped out on loan to non league Bath City, before moving on to Brighton where his goals over three seasons earnt him his shot at the big time.

Blackburn Rovers’ striker has also experienced the non-league wilderness, having started his career at Isthmian League side Hayes, leaving both players well aware of the other side of football.

Roberts and Fulham’s Zamora go into tonight’s clash at Craven Cottage now as seasoned Premier League campaigners but, having both played at every level, the Rovers striker believes the old days makes the present that bit easier to savour.

Roberts said: “It was really strange at Bristol Rovers. We had Barry Hayles, myself, Jamie Cureton, Nathan Ellington and Bobby all coming up at the same time. It was tough and I think we did stint his development a bit.

“Obviously it hasn’t harmed him too much since though.

“It was obvious he had a lot of talent but he never got enough game time to show what he could do at Bristol Rovers. He got loaned out, came back then got sold. In the reserves him and Nathan Ellington used to take people apart and it was always cool to have those boys around.

“It means a lot more to me having made my way up the divisions and earned my stripes at every level. At every level people doubted whether I could make the other step but here I am playing in the Premier League and I have been playing here for a long time.

“The same with Bobby, he has done it at every level and done it the hard way. He has had people all the way through asking the same questions, can he step up again and he always has.

“I am really proud of what Bobby and I have achieved since those days together and I am sure he has many years left in the Premier League.”

Roberts has fond memories of Craven Cottage, having bagged a late winner last season to boost Rovers’ chances of Premier League survival, as he bids to avoid the stresses and strains of that tense relegation battle of just a few months ago.

Sunday’s 2-0 win at Bolton has at least ended the run of 10 straight away defeats and left them sitting pretty at 11th in the Premier League, with Roberts eyeing more of the same over the coming months.

“We have always been looking up,” said Roberts.

“I know results haven’t been great recently but the fixtures away from home have been really tough.

“We have come into a period of games where we feel we are more equipped to get some points. I think the next month or so will show what we are capable of and where we are.

“We think we are a top half team.

“Look at the last five years, that is where we have been performing.

“Last year was tough for us but we aspire to be back to how we were without a doubt.

“We have got the players but we have to go out on the pitch and make sure we do it.

“It is all right talking about it but we have to go out on the pitch and do it now.

“We would like to view last season as a blip on the progression we have made at this football club.”

The 31-year-old is hoping the last week could prove a turning point in his own fortunes, having forced his way back into Sam Allardyce’s starting line-up.

The powerful striker scored twice as a substitute in the 3-1 win at home to Portsmouth, before creating David Dunn’s opener on Sunday, as he looks to re-establish himself at Ewood Park.

He said: “No-one is happy when we are not playing and we have got a squad of international players who want to play every week so it has been tough. We have been playing a formation that maybe doesn’t suit me 100 per cent but nevertheless we have been playing quite well at home so I have been waiting for an opportunity to come in and show what I can do.

“I did that against Portsmouth and with a strike partner, I am able to show my best form.

“I will just do the best I can and it is down to other people whether they select me and how they choose me to play.

"But from my point of view I know what I believe I can bring to the side.”