Hughes setting sights on European stage

Bryan Hughes believes that Charlton are lucky to be playing Liverpool at this stage of the season.

Rafael Benitez's side have been going through a lean spell and midfielder Hughes believes tomorrow is a good time to face them at The Valley.

Both teams are competing for European places and Charlton are full of confidence after five consecutive wins. Hughes said: "Playing against Liverpool will be nice and, hopefully, we can turn them over.

"There are a few teams up there fighting for European places and this game could go a long way to deciding who gets in. Possibly it is a good time to play Liverpool, but they are a great club and a great team. Even if they are under the cosh, or going through a bad patch, it will still be a hard game."

Hughes is looking for his fifth start in a row tomorrow after joining Charlton last summer and spending most of the season on the sidelines.

He scored in Saturday's 3-2 FA Cup fourth round win against Yeovil along with Francis Jeffers and Shaun Bartlett and hopes he has finally established himself in the side.

He should be pleased tomorrow when the transfer window has closed as Alan Curbishley today looked set to stick with his squad for the rest of the season. The manager had at least £3million to spend this month but did not want to be rushed into any deals and was expected to wait until the summer.