BLACKBURN eventually get back on the Wembley Way on Saturday having had to wait three weeks for their FA Cup cruncher against Coventry City.

Replays and postponements have hampered Rovers' Cup quest but caretaker boss Tony Parkes insists his side is rarin' to go.

Rovers have had to take a backseat in recent weeks while the Cup has dramatically unfolded. And while the competition gears up for a weekend of Fifth Round drama, Coventry travel to Ewood Park in the re-arranged Fourth Round tie.

Victory would set up a trip to Derby County in the next round - it's scheduled for Wednesday, February 26 - and, hopefully, a step closer to the Twin Towers. With Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle all out of the running, anything is possible.

Parkes said: "While maintaining our Premiership status is our top priority, a good Cup run is vital for the team, the players and the supporters. It is a very good distraction for us."

He will be hoping all his players return from international duty unscathed for Coventry's second trip to Ewood Park in four weeks. On the last encounter, Rovers rattled in four goals without reply in their most emphatic win of the season.

Two goals by leading scoring Chris Sutton secured victory on the day and another brace would be very welcome.

A good Cup run could be on the cards for Rovers. They shouldn't have any relegation worries after their recent run of good form and they are just the sort of team to revel in the tournament. Meanwhile, Sutton's potential striking partner, Polish star Marek Citko is not coming to Ewood Park after deciding to pledge his future to his present club Widzew Lodz.

After the club's agreed a £2.75 million fee, Citko pulled out at the last minute putting Rovers' search for more firepower back to square one.

Chairman Robert Coar said: "He was due to come over for a medical this week, but at the last minute he decided to stay in Poland. He is a young lad and maybe he was worried about homesickness."

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