MARK Hughes has admitted he wishes Andy Cole was still a Blackburn player as Rovers prepare to face their former striker at Craven Cottage today.

Cole was allowed to join Fulham on a free transfer in the summer following a series of heated bust-ups with former Rovers boss Graeme Souness.

Ironically, Souness then quit Rovers himself for Newcastle barely two months later, paving the way for Hughes to come in as his successor.

Now Hughes is facing a fight to keep Rovers in the Premiership and he's admitted his chances of succeeding in that quest would have been boosted significantly had Cole still been around to bang in the goals.

When asked directly if he wished Cole was still at Blackburn yesterday, Hughes replied rather sheepishly: "I like to have as many quality players at the football club as I can get and obviously Andy Cole is a quality player."

Hughes clearly still has a great deal of respect for his former Manchester United and Blackburn team-mate.

Some players struggle to make an impact elsewhere after leaving a club like United but Cole continues to score goals in the Premiership and Hughes knows he will be a real threat to Rovers at Craven Cottage today.

"Whenever you leave a club like Manchester United it can be difficult for players but I don't think that was ever a problem for Andy," said Hughes.

"I watched him play for Blackburn and I also played alongside him and he was always a threat.

"He always looked like he had goals in him and at the moment Fulham are reaping the benefits of having Andy Cole in their side.

"I know Andy as a player, a team-mate and a guy and he's a very professional man who just wants to do well wherever he plays.

"When he left United he still carried on winning trophies. He made an impact when he was here and it will be good to see him again because I've got a lot of time for Andy.

"He's one of the top strikers around, not only in this country but throughout Europe."