BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Brett Emerton has admitted he needs to raise his game next season if he wants to regain his place in Graeme Souness's starting eleven.

The 24-year-old has conceded he found it tough to adjust to the rigours of the Premiership during his first season in English football.

But the Aussie wide-man is determined to recapture the kind of form which once made him one of the hottest properties on the continent as he sets his sights on leading Rovers back into Europe.

"I think that players who join big clubs are always under pressure," said Emerton, who started 31 of Rovers' 38 games in the Premiership last term after signing from Feyenoord.

"I started the season well but things did not turn out as I would have hoped.

"The Premier League is a higher standard of football than in Holland and there are no easy games.

"But I have definitely improved as a player at Blackburn and I want to continue improving next season."

Emerton is widely regarded as one of the shining lights in the Australian national team but he has struggled to reproduce his international form in the Premiership, despite finishing the season with the second highest number of assists in the league.

"I want to help Blackburn finish in the top half of the Premiership and score more goals next season," said Emerton.

"I was happy with the number of assists I had in some games but I was never satisfied with my performances."

Looking ahead to next season, the former Oceanic player of the year believes Rovers can mount a fresh charge for Europe, providing Graeme Souness starts the campaign with an injury-free squad.

"We were not that bad last season and lost a lot of games by the odd goal," added Emerton.

"Injuries to Barry Ferguson, Lorenzo Amoruso, and David Thompson affected us badly but I am sure the gaffer will strengthen the squad in the summer.

"My relationship with Graeme has been okay. He has a reputation for having a fiery temper but as long as players give 100 per cent he is always fair."