STEVEN Reid today said he and his team-mates are now doubly determined to finish sixth in the Premiership after Blackburn Rovers suffered more cup heartache at the weekend.

After crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford last Wednesday night, Rovers' interest in the FA Cup was then ended by West Ham in the capital, the Hammers emerging as convincing 4-2 victors in Saturday's fourth round tie between the sides at Upton Park.

That means it's now the top six or bust as far as Rovers' hopes of qualifying for Europe are concerned.

And Reid has vowed the players are hell bent on making sure the season doesn't end in disappointing fashion over the next three months.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who was Rovers' best performer against the Hammers, said: "After going on a great run of eight games unbeaten, to then lose the last two is very disappointing.

"But, hopefully, we can start another run again, beginning on Wednesday (against Manchester United).

"The aim now is to concentrate on our league form and there's still a top-six place up for grabs, so we're going to do all we can to achieve that.

"It's important we don't let the season fizzle out and we want to finish as high up the league as possible."

Rovers looked tired on Saturday, no doubt as a result of their exertions in the Carling Cup at Old Trafford three days previously.

However, Reid refused to use that as the reason for the team's below-par performance.

He said: "It was a tough game last Wednesday, but we are used to playing two games in a week so we can't use that as an excuse.

"It was just one of those days and, hopefully, we can put it right on Wednesday."

Hughes must now pick his players up for the visit of United, who were 3-2 aggregate winners over the two legs in the Carling Cup semi-final.

The Rovers boss has studied the ProZone stats from last week's second leg and they confirmed what he felt on the night, that Rovers had given a decent account of themselves overall.

"On Wednesday we had more possession than them, we made more passes, we had higher energy levels than them and, all round, we beat them in most things, apart from the scoreline," said Hughes.

"We've acquitted ourselves well against United this season and we'll have to go again against a very accomplished side on Wednesday.

"We'll get this out of our system then we'll start to pick up again."