Harry Redknapp and Joe Jordan fear Blackburn are capable of wrecking Portsmouth's dream of finishing fifth in the Premier League.Mark Hughes' rough-diamond Rovers arrive at Fratton Parkon on Sunday looking to fully avenge September's 1-0 home defeat, having partially atoned with a Carling Cup success the following month.

A Blackburn win - coupled with an Everton success against Aston Villa - will rule Pompey out of the running for fifth spot and a guaranteed UEFA Cup place, which they could also claim with victory in next month's FA Cup final.

First-team coach Jordan and assistant manager Tony Adams have played an even more important role on the Pompey training ground than usual this week, with boss Redknapp coming to terms with the untimely death of his sister-in-law Pat, the mother of Chelsea star Frank Lampard.

Jordan said: "We have certainly got to play better than we did at Manchester City last week. That was a bad day for us and the players are only too aware of it.

"At this stage of the season, with just three games to go, we cannot aim for anything less than maximum points. We are in the FA Cup final but this is a massive game against Blackburn as well and they are a very good side."

Rovers go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with leaders Manchester United last weekend, and Jordan added: "I thought they thoroughly deserved their result against United last week. They have a strong defence, a prolific striker in Roque Santa Cruz who has scored 21 goals, and lots of talent in midfield."

Despite Santa Cruz's impressive goal-haul, Redknapp thinks Rovers' biggest dangerman is midfielder David Bentley.

The Pompey boss said: "He is a fantastic footballer and can definitely be a top player for England in future years.

"Bentley has got everything - great skill, fantastic attitude and he's versatile. He is so important to Blackburn and can play in quite a few positions.

"Whether it is playing off the main striker or out wide, we've certainly got to watch him."

Redknapp, who admits he tried to sign both Santa Cruz and Rovers' impressive Canadian centre back Ryan Nelsen last year, has to choose who will partner Jermain Defoe in attack.

The candidates are Kanu, left out of the squad completely for the 3-1 defeat at Eastlands, and the on-loan Milan Baros.

Suspended Hermann Hreidarsson's left-back spot is also up for grabs, with Redknapp likely to opt for the experience of Lauren - who deputised for virus victim Glen Johnson last week - over the promise of on-loan Frenchman Lucien Aubey.

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