VETERAN striker Mark Hughes today revealed he would love to bring the curtain down on a glittering playing career with a Worthington Cup final appearance at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Hughes might have won virtually every top honour the game has to offer in a magnificent professional career spanning 21 years.

But the Wales boss still harbours one last ambition before reluctantly hanging up his boots -- to play in a major final at the new national home of Welsh football.

Tonight, the 38-year-old striker can take a step closer to turning that dream into reality when Rovers take on Sheffield Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final at Hillsborough.

And no-one in Graeme Souness's squad is more determined than Hughes to lead Rovers into their first major domestic final since 1960 when they lost to Wolves in the FA Cup.

"I've never actually played at the Millennium Stadium, I only get to train on the pitch these days if Rugby Union permits," said Hughes.

"So it would be a great opportunity for me to get the chance to play there.

"All the lads who play for me with Wales love the place so it's, obviously, a great venue.

"I think everyone who's been down there for previous Worthington and FA Cup finals have been hugely impressed by the atmosphere the stadium generates.

"And we'd love to be part of that, too."

Hughes already boasts an impressive track record in the competition having won it twice before.

But he also knows what it's like to taste defeat at the hands of Wednesday, having lost to them in the 1991 final during his time at Manchester United.

"I remember getting beat by Wednesday in the final in 1991," said Hughes.

"We didn't play particularly well on the day, either individually or collectively.

"They were a Second Division side at the time but they had some good players, Ron Atkinson was the manager, and he got them going so they were the better side on the day.

"But, generally speaking, the competition has been reasonably kind to me and it would be nice to get there again with Blackburn."

With Wednesday currently struggling at the wrong end of the First Division, Rovers go into the two-legged tie as clear favourites with the bookies.

But Hughes knows enough about Owls boss Terry Yorath to realise Graeme Souness's men can expect a stern examination.

"I've known Terry for many, many years and I'm sure he'll be desperate to get through to Cardiff as well," said Hughes.

"We had lots of good times when he was the manager of Wales and I'm pleased he's been given an opportunity at Sheffield Wednesday because he's a good footballing man and I'm sure, given time, he'll be a great success there.

"They're in a little bit of trouble off the pitch so it's a difficult situation for him.

"But he's been in and around the game for many, many years so if any one is going to get it right, I'm sure it will be him."

Ewood new-boy Andy Cole returns to Rovers' attack tonight after missing the FA Cup tie with Barnsley at the weekend.

And skipper Garry Flitcroft is back in contention again after serving a one game ban at the weekend.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness also hopes to have Damien Duff available again following a slight groin strain.

But Lucas Neill misses out after playing for Millwall in an earlier round which could mean a possible recall for John Curtis.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Short, Berg, Flitcroft, Dunn, Tugay, Mahon, Gillespie, Jansen, Cole, Duff, Hignett, Hughes, Taylor, Johansson, Ostenstad, Kelly.