Stoke travel to Blackburn in the fifth round of the FA Cup with Mark Hughes taking on the club he managed for four years.

The Potters are in good form as of late, winning three of their last five in all competitions. With the club sitting well up the Premier League table, Stoke will be looking to build a cup run. However Blackburn will want to add another Premier League scalp to their list, after knocking out Swansea in the fourth round.

Blackburn are the club Hughes was most successful with. From September 2004 to June 2008 Hughes managed at Ewood Park, with 188 games and winning an impressive 82 of them. He was also responsible for making them a solid Premier League side and making them constant UEFA Cup qualification contenders.

However all pleasantries will be put aside as Hughes looks to triumph over his former side. “We are looking to progress and get to the latter stages, if we can overcome Blackburn we can start getting excited too.” The Welsh manager faced another of his former sides in midweek, but his return to Manchester City was disappointing as it resulted in a 4-1 loss.

Blackburn are currently doing well in the Championship, sitting ninth, Gary Bowyer’s side will be eyeing up promotion, but will see the FA Cup as something Rovers can go far in. With the combined strikeforce of Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes, the Rovers can be a formidable opponent for any side.

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For Blackburn, Jason Lowe is almost certain to miss out as he has a foot problem. Joining him on the sidelines are David Dunn and Jay Spearing, the latter being cup-tied after playing for Bolton in the earlier stages.

Stoke have Jonathan Walters available after he sat out the game at the Etihad on Wednesday with a knee injury. Jack Butland is expected to be given a run out in goal with first choice ‘keeper Asmir Begovic set to be rested. Defender Erik Pieters has an ‘outside chance’ of returning after a hernia issue, but may not be risked.

In his pre-match press conference Hughes commented on the list of injuries and when they could return: “The likes of Ryan (Shawcross), Marc (Wilson) and Stephen Ireland could all return for Aston Villa next weekend.”

This game could see another upset, with Ewood Park being a difficult place to go, however Stoke will see this as a game they can win as they look to string together a cup run.