Hughes denies Gunners rift

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes insists there is no longer any bad blood between his side and Arsenal.

The Gunners travel to Ewood Park tomorrow with memories of last season's bitter FA Cup defeat at the hands of Rovers still fresh in their minds.

After a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, Cesc Fabregas made insulting remarks to Hughes' face and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also uncomplimentary about Blackburn following their 1-0 win in the replay.

Hughes claims, however, that those events are in the past.

He said: "We won through last season in the Cup after a great strike from Benni McCarthy.

"People seem to forget a few weeks before that we had been beaten by six goals at the Emirates. We went back there with a gameplan, got the job done, Benni was available for the replay and he made the difference."

Asked about the responses of Fabregas and Wenger, the Rovers boss added: "In fairness to the young man he apologised afterwards in the dressing room and that was the end of it as far as I am concerned.

"And when managers get beat they tend to look at the game from their point of view and I'm guilty of that as well. After you have had a painful defeat it can be difficult to give credit to the opposing team and you have to recognise that."

Blackburn will give McCarthy a full check-up to ensure he has recovered from concussion before including him in the squad for tomorrow's game.

The South African striker suffered a head injury at Middlesbrough last weekend and was taken to hospital following the game.

If he is passed fit, Hughes may select him to partner Roque Santa Cruz for the first time.

Hughes said: "All my strikers can play together in different combinations and Roque and Benni certainly have that capacity.

"Benni likes to come off and get involved in the build-up and Roque goes long and gives us an aerial threat."