Now Rovers are ready for United

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes reckons the Carling Cup victory over League One Huddersfield will give his team a major confidence boost ahead of Rovers’ trip to his former club Manchester United.

Craig Bellamy hit his first two goals in a Blackburn shirt, while Georgian defender Zurab Khizanishvili, on a season-long loan deal from Rangers, notched his first in English football.

Pawel Abbott made it 2-1 with 11 minutes remaining but Bellamy’s second killed the Terriers off five minutes later and gave Rovers their second win of the season – and their third three-goal haul of 2005.

Before Bellamy’s 11th-minute opener, Rovers had gone a month – and 391 minutes on the pitch – without scoring.

But Hughes thinks the return to winning ways will stand his team in good stead for the clash at Old Trafford.

The former Wales boss said: “We didn’t want to look too far ahead. We have got Man United at the weekend but first and foremost we wanted to get this one out of the way and I think it was important that we focused on this game and made sure we are in the hat.

“We scored three goals and played well, so it’s good preparation for the weekend.”

Hughes has been impressed with the form of Khizanishvili, who has partnered Ryan Nelsen in the centre of defence in the absence of Andy Todd.

“He has been a great addition and has done excellently since he came in,” Hughes added. “The goal is icing on the cake for him. He’s comfortable in possession, he’s a good football player and he gives us cover and competition.”

Meanwhile, Huddersfield manager Peter Jackson called on the Terriers fans to give his team, who are currently second in League One, similar support throughout the rest of the season as they attempt to return to the Coca-Cola Championship after a five-season absence.

At least 3,000 Town fans continued to stream into Ewood Park all the way up until half-time – due to heavy motorway delays – and Jackson thinks the fans can prove crucial in his side’s promotion push.

“Our crowd were excellent from start to finish and at the end of the match you would have thought we had won the tie,” Jackson said.

“It was terrific backing and I just hope they turn up in their numbers over the next couple of months to cheer us on to promotion because I feel if we keep on going, and keep this squad together, we can achieve our aim and get into the Championship.”