BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is determined to keep Craig Bellamy fit for the rest of the season.

The Welsh striker is almost back to full fitness after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury and is edging his way back into contention for tonight's Carling Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough.

But with Hughes recognising that he's bound to lose players during the congested Christmas programme, he's keen to make sure Bellamy isn't rushed back into action too soon.

"Last time nursing him back helped and that may well be the route we go down," said Hughes.

"We have an important game and touch wood we don't; but we may lose players again so we'll have to use him.

"A number of people jumped the gun when Craig got the initial injury but I always knew he wasn't going to be out for as long a time as people said."

Bellamy has been blighted by injuries since making the switch from Newcastle in the summer, featuring in just 13 games

But the six goals he has fired in during these appearances underlines why Hughes is desperate to keep him match sharp - an explains why Bellamy is enjoying his time at Ewood despite the setbacks.

Hughes added: "He was brought to the club to give us something different and when he does appear we are a different sort of side.

"We cause teams and opposition defenders a lot of problems and ask a lot of questions when Craig is playing.

"We've done okay when he hasn't been in the side but at times when we've needed to be more clinical in certain situations and Craig may have been hat player to do that fr us.

"When he's played he's been excellent but we hope he's going to get over this injury and from now until the end of the season he can play on a regular basis.

"His general fitness is very very good and I think he got close to full fitness in games just prior to the injury, but I think he feels himself there's more to come from Crag Bellamy, not just this year but in years to come because he still feels he's got a lot of improvement in him.

"He was a major investment at the beginning of the season for a significant amount of money and we want him fit and well. II think if he can remain fit we're sure we'll have a successful season.

"He's enjoying his time here he's good with the group the players like him and he likes playing with them. Day in day out, he comes in, does his work, and tries to get better. That's all you can hope for."

Ryan Nelsen is also back in contention for tonight but Morten Gamst Pedersen is a doubt with a knee injury.