ROVERS' assistant boss Tony Parkes has rejected claims that the Worthington Cup is an unwanted distraction in their battle to secure Premiership safety.

Manager Graeme Souness has stressed all along this season that Rovers' priority remains survival in the top-flight.

But Parkes insists the club's involvement in the Worthington semi-finals is an added bonus rather than an unwanted distraction ahead of tonight's first leg against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

"We just believe that winning games can only help us in the league," said Parkes.

"You do put yourself at risk by playing more games because you can pick up injuries and suspensions.

"But that's part and parcel of football.

"People talk these days about two games a week being too much for players but the Brits have always been brought up on two games a week and never before has it been mentioned as much as it is now.

"But it's not for me to talk about other clubs. All I'm interested in is Blackburn Rovers and this is a very exciting competition for us.

"At the end of the day, if we can win the Worthington Cup and stay in the Premier League then it will have been a very good season for us."

That view was also reinforced in no uncertain terms by striker Mark Hughes who is relishing tonight's battle.

"I can understand the reasons why some clubs don't take this competition seriously," said Hughes.

"I, personally, have always had the feeling that I want to win every game I go into.

"But, obviously, some clubs look at the season and what they want to achieve and maybe the Worthington Cup doesn't figure that highly in those plans in it's early stages.

"However, once you start to progress, people then see it as a possible passport into Europe.

"We've certainly approached it in the right way because we haven't made wholesale changes in the rounds we've played.

"And that's probably why we've progressed this far.

"So, hopefully, we can go all the way now."