Blackburn boss Mark Hughes takes his team to Newcastle knowing it is the start of what could be a potentially decisive month in their season.After the struggling Magpies, Rovers have matches against Fulham, West Ham, Wigan and Reading - all teams currently below them in the table.

A significant haul of points in March would set up the club well for a final push for a UEFA Cup place in the final six weeks of the season and avoid the need to qualify via the Intertoto Cup.

"We have got games we feel are certainly within our ability to win," said Hughes. "They are difficult but we have games where we find ourselves up against teams below us and more often than not and this year we have done really well against the bottom half.

"It seems the top half is beating the bottom half this season so we hope that continues.

"We have a nice little run and then we have a difficult April and if we can come through this month and April in decent shape then hopefully we can finish the job off with the games we have remaining."

Newcastle at St James' Park will be a test for Rovers despite the hosts struggling to spark into life since Kevin Keegan's arrival in mid-January.

In the five matches since then they have taken just two points and have yet to win.

But despite all the hype surrounding Keegan's return to Tyneside for a second spell Hughes cannot afford to be distracted from his own job.

"My concern is taking my team there and making sure we get a positive result to keep our ambitions of European ambitions alive," said the Rovers boss, whose team are currently ninth in the table.

"They will obviously, as always, look at a game against Blackburn as a winnable game but we will make sure it will be a difficult day for them I am sure."

Despite their consistent qualification for Europe Blackburn are still viewed in some quarters as a 'small' club and their talents are often under-estimated.

But the perception of his side is not something that concerns Hughes, especially as he feels it may actually benefit Rovers.

"We just get quietly on with the work we do and don't create a great deal of attention," added the former Wales boss.

"There are advantages of just getting on with your work and being slightly under the radar - you can surprise people."

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