Hughes pleased with Rovers showing

Many of Blackburn Rovers' fringe or squad players were able to get a game for Rovers in Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Chelsea with Mark Hughes happy with their performances.

Hughes feels we can take many plus points from the defeat with two players, Jay McEveley and Stephane Henchoz making their first starts of the season, the latter his first appearance since returning to Ewood Park this summer. Aaron Mokoena's first start since the opening day of the season and Sergio Peter`s very impressive as a second half substitute were all praised by Hughes who said, when speaking to Radio Rovers:

"I thought Sergio when he was introduced did very well, obviously Stephane in his first game for a long, long time did excellent as did Aaron in the middle of the park.

"There were lot of positives to take from the game, Jay McEveley has come in and really tried to affect the game.

"It was important that they got a taste of it, I thought it was an opportunity to do that.

"Obviously they tired towards the end but that was to be expected, but we are going to have to use the whole squad this year, there are a lot of games ahead of us and I will use those players so it is important that they get a taste of it sooner rather than later."

Sergio Peter is renowned for his impact on games, will anyone ever forget his full debut for Rovers in the FA Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers a few years back! What an impact he made creating all three of Rovers' goals that day. I for one very much look forward to seeing more of the exciting young German in the future. Maybe, although unlikely Morten Gamst Pedersen's injury could see him ruled out and so Peter could come in this weekend in his place?

"Chris has just come back from having an X-ray and that's clear, but he's got a very sore shin," said Hughes when speaking about Shabani Nonda`s injury which forced him off in the Carling Cup tie.

"Hopefully, we can get him back soon, but whether or not he will be available for Sunday is debateable," Hughes added.

Morten Gamst Pedersen had to be substituted early in the second half and despite Peter being on standby for Sunday's Premiership match with West Ham United it is likely that Norwegian International Gamst Pedersen will be fit, Hughes said:

"But Morten should be okay, we hope. He twisted his ankle but he's walking around and hopefully that won't be too serious for us. That is the disappointment, we didn't want to lose any players from the squad."

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