Hughes hoping for Trotters fatigue February 23 2008
Mark Hughes wants Blackburn to take advantage of Bolton's tiredness on Sunday - but admits he would love to be sharing the European stage with them.
The Trotters have little time to savour Thursday's stunning UEFA Cup success over Atletico Madrid in Spain as they head straight to Ewood Park for a difficult Premier League derby.
Rovers, by contrast, due to their early elimination from the FA Cup, have enjoyed almost two weeks off - and a sunshine break to Florida - since losing to Arsenal earlier this month.
Hughes hopes that can play into his side's hands as they look to muscle their way back into the tight battle for places in the UEFA Cup next season.
"We know from our own experience that playing away Thursday and then travelling back for a difficult away game in the Premier League is very demanding and can have an effect on your performance," said Hughes.
"But they will be coming back on a high. They acquitted themselves very well to come through a very difficult tie.
"They'll be very buoyant and we'll have to see how the game unfolds but we hope we can take advantage of the break we've had and the work they've had to do."
Yet while Hughes believes his team's relative lack of fixtures can help them in their quest to break into the Premier League's top five, he would like to be involved longer in cup competitions next year.
He said: "Ideally we'd like to battling on all fronts but that's a big ask for a club of our resources.
"It can be very difficult to spread yourself throughout the competitions and do well in every single one of them.
"We are doing fine in the Premier League. We were disappointed to go out of Europe so early because we had real ambitions this year but the motivation to get back there is always there. We want European football."
Blackburn's European hopes would be aided if Hughes' former club Chelsea win the Carling Cup final on Sunday.
With the Blues already almost certain to qualify for the Champions League, victory for them over Tottenham would give an extra UEFA Cup place to the sides in the top flight's chasing pack.
Hughes, who played for Chelsea from 1995-98, said: "If Tottenham win they would take one of the UEFA Cup positions and that would make it more difficult for us.
"I was a Chelsea fan in my youth! So, for a number of reasons, I would like Chelsea to win."
Yet Hughes can only concentrate on matters he can control and he accepts the going is likely to be tough against Gary Megson's men, who need the points for different reasons.
He said: "It is a key fixture for us. We need to win more home games than we have of late. That has hampered us somewhat while our away form has been excellent.
"It's an opportunity for us. They have had a good week in Europe but we know from our experience it does take it out of you. Maybe we can exploit that."