South African striker McCarthy, a Champions League winner with Porto in 2004, has opened talks about extending his deal at Ewood Park, which currently has two years left to run.

The 30-year-old craves a return to European football's top table and despite an eight-point gap between Rovers and Everton, who currently hold the crucial fourth place in the Barclays Premier League, says the task in not insurmountable.

"The club know that before I hang up my boots from playing football I want to play in the Champions League again
," said McCarthy.

"The fact they are thinking Champions League football can be played here in the next few years will do for me and I can pledge my future here.

"A lot of players in the squad don't know what it is like to play in the Champions League: it is an amazing experience, and that is what I want the whole team to be feeling.

"People say these days that footballers are very glamorous but the Champions League is the type of glamour that you want.

screw loose

"And Blackburn, a team from Lancashire can be as glamorous as we want to be. We certainly have some good looking players!"

It would appear Blackburn, who face a number of the top flight's strugglers in their final 10 matches, would have to win every match, starting with Fulham on Saturday, if they want to get into the top four.

"There is a fourth place up for grabs - and that is what we want," said McCarthy. "There is a serious screw loose in our team if we are not looking towards fourth place.

"If we think we can just settle for the UEFA Cup, no way, it doesn't work like that. For me the way of thinking is far ahead and it is very possible.

"We are in good form at the moment and March is a very, very winnable month.

"We've only got Tottenham that is about the same level as us - even though we're still a better side than Tottenham - and Liverpool in a head-on situation. They want that place as much as we do, so it is all to play for.

"We are an optimistic team and we want to win things. I have enjoyed nearly all my career playing Champions League football and I miss it a lot. It is looking possible to achieve that with Blackburn now more than ever.

"If everything is agreed on, I will put pen to paper and get on with what I do best and that is play football."