BLACKBURN skipper Garry Flitcroft has set his sights on a return to Cardiff as Rovers go in search of Worthington Cup glory at Wigan tonight.

Flitcroft is desperate to lead the club back to the Millennium Stadium for the second time in 12 months after missing out on last February's final through suspension.

But the 30-year-old midfielder admits the holders could have a fight on their hands as Paul Jewell's Second Division giant-killers stand between them and a place in the last four.

"I'd love it if we got to the final again because me and Craig Short missed out last time which was absolutely gutting," said Flitcroft.

"We still went down with the rest of the team and the buzz amongst the players and the fans was fantastic.

"But it doesn't feel quite the same when you're not involved so that's given me an even bigger incentive to get the team there again this year.

"We're only three games off a return to Cardiff and the lads all believe we can get there again.

"We know Wigan will be up for it and we'll certainly give them the respect they deserve because of what they've done in previous rounds.

"But, of all the teams we could have drawn, this is the tie we wanted."

Although Rovers will start as the clear favourites to book a place in the last four, Flitcroft and his colleagues are well aware of the Latics' impressive record in the competition this season.

The Second Division leaders have already accounted for three Premiership teams so far in West Brom, Manchester City and Fulham.

And with hot-shot striker Nathan Ellington again likely to lead the line up front, they are more than equipped to pull off an upset if Rovers fail to approach the tie with the right attitude.

"It's another difficult game. They are going to be up for it being the underdogs so we've got to make sure we start well and stop them from having any joy early on," said Flitcroft.

"We might have lost to Everton on Saturday but we know we were good enough for at least a point, if not three, so we've just got to start being stronger mentality.

"The manager called us in yesterday and stressed we've got to keep believing in the way we are playing because, as long as we do that, the results will come."

"Our priority is to get through this round -- that's all we are thinking about," said Souness.

"We have a wonderful opportunity to get through to the semi-finals and we'll be going there to give it 100 per cent.

"We owe that to anyone who's going to come and pay money to watch us.

"I guarantee it will be a difficult game. We don't expect an easy one.

"They'll fancy their chances, they've turned over Premiership teams before in this competition.

"But we fancy our chances, too, and we'll be going there with our strongest possible team."

Stig Bjornebye could be in line for a welcome return to action following seven months out with an eye injury.

He was named in the squad and Souness paid a glowing tribute to his powers of recovery.

"Stig has done remarkably well," said Souness.

"He had a career-threatening injury and when he was coming back from that he then went over on his ankle and badly damaged it, so he's had to recover from that as well.

"But he's a proper professional footballer. He's worked very, very hard to get back and I'm pleased to be involving him again."

The one notable absentee was David Dunn, who's still sidelined by hamstring trouble, while Hakan Sukur may get his first taste of action against Manchester United on Sunday.

Rovers: Friedel; Neill, Short, Taylor, McEveley; Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff; Cole, Yorke.

Subs (from): Gillespie, Grabbi, Jansen, Ostenstad, Todd, Johansson, Danns, Bjornebye, Kelly.