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Blackburn up for the cup

Blackburn up for the cup


Blackburn up for the cup

Mark Hughes will be casting an eager eye over the Carling Cup draw before he takes on Liverpool this weekend. Blackburn's boss believes that the Carling Cup is a realistic ambition for his side.

The former Manchester United striker enjoys cup ties because he firmly believes a good run can help their league campaign.

With all eight teams coming from the Premier League, Hughes said: "It is a strong competition this season.

"We'll have to see what the draw has for us. Maybe this year some of the big four will play each other and not be split up which seems to happen every year.

"During my time we have tried to have respect for the competitions we've been in. I don't want to put out weakened teams.

"Whenever I've put a side out in a Blackburn shirt I've done it to win. I expect them to win."

A run of seven successive victories has given the former Wales boss reason to believe this could be a special season.

He knows the next two games - they face Manchester United the following week - will give them a good idea of how much they can achieve.

Hughes said: "The same clubs always seem to be in the top four so the games against them are a marker.

"We want to make a statement against Liverpool as it is nice for a change to see one of our matches billed as one of the top games of the weekend.

"It is not often we are talked about in those terms.

"The way we are playing and approaching games we are looking forward to every one. That includes Liverpool and Manchester United.

"I am happy with the quality we have. We are a good team and enjoying a great run at the moment.

"I can just sense the group as a whole is really excited about what is happening."