MARK Hughes insists the problem of diving has never been an issue at Blackburn Rovers.

The cheating debate reared its ugly head last weekend, following Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty box tumble that earned Manchester United a spot-kick against Middlesbrough.

While acknowledging that play-acting and unsporting behaviour is prevalent in English football, Hughes admits that it is never advocated at Ewood Park.

"There could be occasions where players will go down more easily than in other situations," said Hughes.

"But we certainly don't have a problem with it here - it's never been an issue for us.

"I don't think anybody has done anything outrageous in that respect against us, so I don't see any reason to try and gain an advantage in that way ourselves. It's never been flagged up.

"That's something we've never advocated or highlighted to try and gain an advantage with.

"I think, more often than not, the general player will get you opportunities to win games."

Hughes added: "You can understand that everybody wants to win and there's a preferred way to do it.

"But in some circumstances, thoughts will cross a player's mind to try and gain an advantage if circumstances dictate that.

"If you are behind in a game, or in periods of a game, players will seek an advantage. That's always been the case."

While the general view is that diving made its way into the English game following the influx of foreign players over the past decade or so, Hughes believes the problem stretches further back.

He added: "It's always been in the game. I heard somebody on the radio mentioning Franny Lee, who was quite adept at gaining an advantage.

"Maybe there's more individuals prepared to do it, but it's not something you can take completely out of the game.

"I think the atmosphere in grounds has changed in relation to players who have been unsporting.

"Back then, if you fell over in a home game, you were more likely to be booed by your own fans, because you were showing people you were soft.

"Whereas these days if you fall over and you are at home or away, more often than not, the crowd will shout for free-kicks, penalties and sendings off.

"Maybe it's because the game is refereed in a different way. There's less aggression in the game on the field of play and off it, thankfully, so it's a different era.

"Because of that, maybe people now try to seek an advantage in a different way."

Rovers make the journey to Premiership basement boys Charlton Athletic tonight aiming to chalk up back-to-back wins against London opposition.

The Addicks have yet to taste victory under new manager Les Reed since he was installed as the shock successor to Iain Dowie last month.

But Hughes has the utmost respect for Reed and the two came together as the Rovers boss strived for his UEFA Pro Licence coaching badges.

Hughes said: "Les was running the (coaching) course.

"He's got a lot of football knowledge with vast experience at all levels. That was the attraction for Charlton.

"I thought he was very organised and always prepared to sit down and help you.

"Obviously, he's in love with the game and enjoys every aspect of it.

"It's a different role for him now and a tough job, so let's see how he goes."