EWOOD ace Brad Friedel today set his sights on a charge for Europe following Rovers' super start to the festive programme.

Four points from their last two games against Manchester United and Liverpool has meant Rovers now have the perfect base from which to launch an assault on the top six.

And Friedel has targeted maximum points from the next two home games against West Ham and Middlesbrough as the first steps on the road to glory during the second half of the season.

"We've put ourselves in a great position," said the United States international.

"We are currently on 28 points and if we can get six more by the time New Year's Day is over then we'll be well pleased with that.

"There's nothing to say we can't kick on from here and really push for the top six because we've got a great base from which to build on for short and long term future.

"All our games over Christmas are massive ones.

"We started off with Manchester United and Liverpool and now it's West Ham and Middlesbrough, then directly after that we're away to Aston Villa in the Cup and then it's back to United again in the Worthington.

"So we really don't have any small games and none are more important than any of the others.

"It's just a case of taking each one as it comes and then seeing where it leads us."

Friedel was again in supreme form as Rovers drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Thursday with one save from Milan Baros, in particular, proving crucial late on.

But no could deny the fact the visitors were well worth a point on the day and Friedel was more than delighted with the outcome as he returned to Anfield for the first time since Gerrard Houllier allowed him to join Rovers on a free two years ago.

"I thought it was a well-deserved point given our performance in the second half," said the 31-year-old.

"In the first half, I thought we came out tentatively for whatever reason, the pitch was also very lively and very wet and the ball was bouncing around everywhere so it took us a while to get into it.

"Then they got a fortunate goal via a deflection but I thought we bossed the game in the second half for the most part.

"If someone had given us four points before those two games, I think we would have taken it, although at Liverpool we maybe felt we could have gone on and won it."

Meanwhile, manager Graeme Souness is eager to bring someone in on loan when the transfer window opens at the start of January but, as yet, no moves are imminent.