Irish Sunday Mirror

Not all Rover CARTER BACKS BLUES FOR TOP-SIX SHOCK

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CONFIDENT Hayden Carter has backed Blackburn Rovers to sneak into the play-offs.

Rovers looked a dead cert to secure a coveted Championsh­ip play-off berth this season having been flying high in the top six for most of an impressive campaign.

But Jon Dahl Tomasson’s misfiring side have endured a torrid finish to the season having not won in their last league matches.

However, despite having picked up just five points from a possible 24 in what should have been a comfortabl­e play-off finish, Carter believes all hope is not lost.

“We’ve got to do our thing and hope results go our way,” said Carter.

“Everyone believes we can sneak in there. We’ve got to focus on ourselves, focus on getting three points and then we’ll see the other results at full-time.

“We can’t impact their games, they can’t impact ours.”

Rovers are ninth, two points adrift of guaranteei­ng a top-six place and must beat sixth-placed Millwall to stand any chance of making the final cut.

Sunderland and West Brom also have 66 points like their Lancashire rivals, but Rovers have an inferior goal difference.

And with Coventry also in the mix to secure their place with just one game left, the final day of the season promises to be a dramatic one.

Tomasson has been left frustrated with his side having scored just five goals in their last eight games, form which he

ALBERT ADOMAH is expected to hold onto his starting spot for QPR.

The 35-year-old Ghana internatio­nal scored the winner as the Hoops secured their status for another season thanks to a 1-0 victory at Stoke.

Defenders Ossie Kakay and Leon Balogun could remain sidelined, while Jake Clarke-salter is looking to be involved at the back.

Nigel Pearson’s Robins are hoping to end the season on a high. Czech Republic defender Tomas Kalas is available after being limited to only seven appearance­s this season because of injury.

Rob Atkinson (ACL) has started the long road to recovery, while Ayman Benarous is also out after suffering a second serious knee injury. believes is down to a lack of experience in his side.

“If you think about the age of the group, the stress, because they haven’t been used to this situation, the lads are coping extremely well with a new situation,” said Tomasson. “I’m frustrated but proud of the energy the team has. We have come far, but we are not scoring goals. You need to score goals to win games.”

Meanwhile, the Lions know victory would make sure of their own play-off place and striker Tom Bradshaw – who bagged a fine brace in a 3-2 away win over Blackpool last time out – is confident the London club have what it takes to seal the deal on the final day of the season.

“It was a massive win for us, beating Blackpool just shows how much character and belief we have in the squad,” said Bradshaw.

“We’re in the play-off race, so every player goes into it with the belief they can be a Premier League player. You have to have that belief you can.”

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