Hughes aiming for FA Cup trophy

By Andy Sims, PA Sport

FA Cup legend Mark Hughes has set his sights on gracing Wembley yet again as Blackburn await the draw for the fifth round of this season's competition.

Hughes, who as a swashbuckling centre-forward lifted the famous trophy four times - three for Manchester United and once with Chelsea - is now aiming to join the likes of Terry Venables, George Graham and Kenny Dalglish in winning the cup as a player and a manager.

Blackburn's progress so far has been serene, with a 4-1 third-round victory at Everton followed up by Saturday's 4-0 demolition of lowly Luton.

With last year's finalists Liverpool and West Ham among a host of Barclays Premiership clubs to have already fallen by the wade, the draw may just be opening up for Rovers.

And few FA Cup aficionados would begrudge a man synonymous with the old Twin Towers as a player the chance to become the first manager to lead a team out at the new Wembley Stadium in May.

"We've shown already we can have an effect on the competition this season," said the Welshman.

"We've come through two rounds - two difficult games away from home - and we've got the job done quite effectively, scoring eight goals and only conceding one.

"It's all about the draw and who you are up against, but I think this year with all the teams who are already out we may have a chance to progress to the latter stages if we can avoid the big guns.

"There's a real prize at the end of it this year. It's at the new Wembley and Her Majesty the Queen is presenting the trophy so it's going to be quite an occasion and one that we would love to be a part of. But there is a long way to go yet."

Red-hot rookie Matt Derbyshire was the star of the show at Kenilworth Road as injury-hit Luton were taken apart.

The 20-year-old grabbed a brace on only his third start for the club, and also turned provider for Benni McCarthy before Morten Gamst Pedersen put the seal on a comprehensive win with a superb left-foot strike for the fourth.

Derbyshire, a Rovers fan who initially worked in the club's community office before signing as a player, celebrated landing a new long-term contract this week by taking his tally to five goals in his last six appearances.

"It was brilliant for me and for the team," he said. "Things are going well and hopefully they continue to do so.

"I think we're due a home tie in the next round, we've been away for quite a few games so it would be good to go back home."

The victory provided Hughes with a timely boost following a miserable week which saw Andre Ooijer and Robbie Savage suffer broken legs.

To rub salt into the Hatters' wounds, Hughes claimed their local rivals played a role in their comprehensive defeat.

"In fairness to Luton the worst result for them was us losing to Watford in midweek," said Hughes.

"We weren't prepared to play like that again and we put in a thoroughly professional performance.

"Matt and Benni played well together and it was a great finish from Morten, who is looking like the player of last season again."