Kuqi keen for starting role

Shefki Kuqi has pleaded with Blackburn boss Mark Hughes to give him a starting berth.

Shefki Kuqi has pleaded with Blackburn boss Mark Hughes to give him a starting berth at Ewood Park.

The burly front man has struggled to command a regular place at the UEFA Champions League chasers since his summer switch from Ipswich Town.

He did though come off the bench on Monday to grab his side a point against Wigan and now he is looking for a start.

''It is hard for somebody like me because I am a big lad,'' said Kuqi.

''If I don't play games I lose my timing and everything and people saw that in the game on Monday.

''When I came on, for the first five or ten minutes my timing wasn't there. I thought I did better in the last ten minutes or so.

''I know I can do a lot better and I want to do well when I come on, whether it is just for ten minutes, 20 minutes or whatever.

''I am the type of player who can make an impact.''