ALAN Mahon today insisted the magic of the FA Cup is still alive and kicking at Ewood as Rovers attempt to book a place in the last eight tonight at the expense of Bolton.

With both sides currently locked in a battle for promotion at the top of the First Division, Cup glory has taken something of a back seat in the build up to tonight's fifth round replay.

But with the prize of a trip to Arsenal awaiting the winners, Mahon is adamant Rovers are fired up and ready for the challenge.

And he hasn't given up on the possibility of an historic double at the end of the season.

"No matter what else is going on this is still the FA Cup and it's great competition to play in," said Mahon.

"So this is a big game for us and we all know what the rewards are if we beat Bolton tonight.

"Most of the lads haven't played at Highbury before so we're looking to win it.

"It's going to be a hard game because Bolton are going to be up for it because they won't want to get beat again.

"But we're all up for it and we want to get through."

Whoever emerges victorious tonight faces a potential fixture pile-up during the promotion run-in.

But Mahon believes Rovers have got the resources to cope with such problems if they arise.

And he is adamant that won't distract them from the job in hand.

"We've got a big squad with a lot of talented players so we can rotate things if required.

"But when you're playing football at this stage of the season -- especially with the situation we are -- it gives you that extra oomph anyway because we know how much things mean now and how close we are to the Premier League.

"So we'll get the energy from somewhere."

Meanwhile, striker Marcus Bent is fired up for tonight's contest knowing one more goal will take him past last season's best ever haul of 17.

"Last season was my best ever season for goals when I scored 17 for Sheffield United," said Bent.

"So I've now hit the target I got last year and, hopefully, I can go beyond it.

"I set myself a target of 20 at the start of the season and I started off really well then it faded out.

"But now it seems like it's coming back and I've been told by various people I've just got to keep my head.

"And as long as we keep winning and I keep getting the chances then I won't worry about it."

Bent would love the chance to test himself against Arsenal at the weekend.

But he insists the league must remain Rovers' top priority as the race for promotion hotted up even further last night following victories for Birmingham and West Brom.

"Winning the League means a lot more to me than going down to Arsenal because, if we were to do that, then we'd get to go down to Arsenal twice next season," said Bent.

"But it would be nice to beat Bolton and get the chance to go down there and play them.

Stig Bjornebye, Damien Johnson, Jason McAteer and Garry Flitcroft all return to Graeme Souness's squad tonight.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Short, Taylor, Berg, Flitcroft, Dunn, Mahon, Duff, McAteer, Hignett, Bent, Jansen, Hughes, Keller, Berkovic, Johnson, Filan.