Hughes hails improving Nonda

BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes hailed the manner in which his side hit back from their midweek UEFA Cup heartbreak to boost their chance of securing a quick return to European competition.

Rovers’ 3-0 stroll over Portsmouth at Ewood Park shot Hughes’ men back into the top 10 of the Premiership just three days after their defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

And Hughes insisted: “We picked ourselves up and I think our performance today served notice of our intent and that we are not prepared to let this season peter out.