JASON Roberts reckons Blackburn Rovers have the potential to become a top five club this season - providing his new team-mates believe in their own ability.

The 28-year-old, who scored twice on his home debut against New Zealand at the weekend, admits he's been blown away by the amount of talent in Mark Hughes' squad since he joined the club from Wigan Athletic six weeks ago.

Last season, Roberts was part of a Latics team that took the Premiership by storm and, at one point, Paul Jewell's men were on course for a European place until they ran out of steam during the run-in.

Now the Grenadan international is hoping to scale even greater heights with his new club and, based on what he's seen so far, he believes Rovers are more than capable of at least matching last season's sixth-placed finish.

"I don't want to set any targets but we want to progress as a football club, and I want to progress as a footballer," said Rovers' new £2 million signing.

"If the Champions League is the next step for us, that is something we must aim for.

"Whether we can achieve it or not, time will tell.

"But we have to believe in ourselves and take the next step.

"You look at what they achieved last year to finish just outside the top five. Maybe there is more for us to achieve."

If pre-season is anything to go by then Roberts and his new strike-partner, Benni McCarthy, could well fire Rovers towards their goal.

Mark Hughes' new-look srikeforce showed further encouraging signs during Saturday's 5-0 friendly win against the Kiwis, sharing four goals between them.

Now Roberts is backing himself to chip in with plenty more once the serious stuff gets underway, providing his new team-mates continue to supply him with the kind of silver service he got at the weekend.

"As you saw on Saturday, the team is creating a lot of chances, and a lot of chances came my away against New Zealand.

"I believe if I get chances then I'll put away a fair proportion of them. That's what I've been getting over pre-season, and long may it continue."

With three goals to his name already, Roberts now has his sights firmly set on his former club Portsmouth, who Rovers face in a Premiership curtain-raiser at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has been busy wheeling and dealing over the summer, adding Sol Campbell, David James, Glen Johnson and David Thompson to a squad that finished last season in top six form.

However, Roberts insists Rovers will travel to the South Coast with nothing to fear after they proved consistently last term they can match anyone in the division on their day.

"I don't think Portsmouth are going to be anything but a really hard team to play against," added Roberts.

"They've got Sol Campbell and I think they'll probably look to strengthen again before Saturday comes, so we know we've got it all to do.

"But we're confident in ourselves going into it."