Sam Byram intends to take another step closer to the Championship’s top dogs as he targets a fourth straight Leeds win at Blackburn.

Brian McDermott’s side are back in the play-off mix for the first time in two months after moving up to sixth spot.

And they can reinforce that position with another positive result at Ewood Park.

But highly-rated Byram, who is winning his own battle with injury, feels they can raise their sights towards joint leaders Burnley, Leicester and QPR.

He said: “For the club in general, the momentum’s brilliant. We’ve been playing well, we’re in the top six and hopefully we can push on.

“We want to cement a place and, if we can, get into the top two. The gaffer has the right ideas and the right plan.

“If you can be around it at Christmas and keep pushing then no-one knows what can happen.”

Rovers have been up and down so far but their home form is good and Leeds assistant boss Nigel Gibbs is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “I’ve looked at their side and their squad and they have some good players. I think they would say that they have been inconsistent but on their day they can beat anybody.”

Almost 7,000 Leeds fans will make the trip across the Pennines for a clash that is being billed as a shoot-out between fellow Scotland internationals Jordan Rhodes and Ross McCormack. The Leeds striker is currently on 12 – two ahead of former Hudd-ersfield hitman Rhodes.

Rhodes will have a new partner in the shape of Rudy Gestede – on loan from Cardiff until January.