Rovers ready to return to the Promised Land

Nearly 20 years ago Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League title, and remain one of five clubs to have managed that achievement. This was before the days of billionaire, foreign owners in England's top flight, high television revenues and sponsorship deals.

A squad of Tim Flowers in goal, Colin Hendry at the back, flanked by Greame Le Saux. A midfield screen of captain Tim Sherwood and David Batty, plus the prolific Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton leading the line.

Currently, they are just one point off the play-offs in the Championship and 5/1 to secure promotion back to the promised land of Premier League football. It has been a turbulent couple of years at the Rovers, with supporter opposition towards their owners, the Venky's rife at one point, however, this seems to have simmered significantly recently.

On their fourth manager in four years, Gary Bowyer seems to be gradually bringing stability back to the club, and has found a way to get the team playing. Jordan Rhodes, arguably one of the brightest talents in the team is scoring freely, and has netted five times so far this term, one behind fellow striker Rudy Gestede, and is 11/1 to be the Championship top scorer.

They have taken eight points from a possible 12 in their last run of matches, including a surprise, and morale-boosting 3-1 win away at fellow play-off hopefuls Nottingham Forest last time out. They take on Ipswich at Ewood Park next, knowing that three points could take them to fourth in the league, if other results go their way. Gestede is 5/1 to open the scoring, while Rhodes is priced at 7/2 in the same market.

Undoubtedly, the ultimate aim is to reinstate themselves back as a Premier League club, and so far Bowyer appears to be doing exactly what is needed. Rhodes may not hit the heights of ex-Rovers legend Shearer, though he certainly has the talent to help the club achieve their immediate aims.