BOSS Sam Allardyce is challenging his players to finish as high up the table as possible - and put a few extra pennies in the pot.

"Every place is worth £750,000 and that is an extra £750,000 on next year's budget," said the manager.

"So it is very, very important that we finish as high in the table as we possibly can."

Four successive home wins have helped Rovers open up a 10-point gap between themselves and the bottom three - and Big Sam hopes his side can continue their fine form into a difficult run-in.

"I have to say that we always knew at this stage of the season that we were going to have to have, if not enough, then nearly enough, points to be safe," he added.

"Because in our last 10 fixtures, seven of the teams we are playing are above us in the table and we are 12th at the moment.

"So it shows you what a difficult 10 games we've got, but with the form we are in at the moment, if we get a little more clinical, then we'll hopefully surprise a few of those teams along the way.

"If we can win the games we think are winnable, then we can look at the big boys after that to try and snatch an upset and finish the season off on a high."