Hughes hopeful on injuries

Rovers boss plays down concerns over Samba and McCarthy

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 28th April 2008

Portsmouth v Blackburn Mark Hughes

Hughes: Not too concerned

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Mark Hughes is waiting to discover whether Christopher Samba and Benni McCarthy will be able to play in Blackburn's remaining games of the season.

Samba was forced off towards the end of Blackburn's 1-0 victory over Porstmouth on Sunday after a collision with Niko Kranjcar.

Hughes has explained that the defender took a knock to the knee but is optimistic that he will be fit to feature against Derby on Saturday.

"He got a bang on the outside of the knee. We hope it's just an impact injury and that he should be okay," Hughes told Blackburn's official website.

"If it is twisted then it could be a bigger issue for us. It'll be sore for a couple of days, we hope that is just what it is."

Tweaked

Hughes is also not too worried about McCarthy, who missed the match at Fratton Park with a hamstring injury.

The South African picked up the problem in training ahead of the trip and will be reassessed later in the week.

"He just pulled up very late in the session on Saturday and has just tweaked his hamstring," said Hughes.

"But we are hoping that it is just a little bit of tightness in there and that he hasn't actually pulled anything.

"So we'll check on him this week but we are hopeful that he'll get some of the matches that we have left.

"We want Benni fit and well, we want everyone fit and well going into these games. I've got to have as many options that are available to me because that obviously helps our situation."