BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has warned his players to take 'nothing for granted' as lowly Sunderland visit Ewood tonight.
After back-to-back away wins against Middlesbrough, confidence is sky high in the Rovers camp as they now turn their attention to the struggling Black Cats.
However, Hughes fears his players could fall flat on their faces this evening if they think another home win is a formality.
"We've got to be wary of that," said Hughes.
"It would be a real shame for us, having gone to the Riverside and put in a good performance and got three points, if we didn't then capitalise on it tonight, so that's got to be our focus now.
"Sunderland had a good result (against Bolton on Monday) so that will give them confidence and this is a game which could go against us if we don't approach it in the right way because we are playing against a side that is fighting for its life.
"But, that said, we'd like to think we are playing well at this moment in time, we are a good side, and we are starting to convert the chances we are creating.
"If we play well then we'd like to think we've got a good opportunity of getting back-to-back wins."
A victory this evening could catapult Rovers into the top half of the table and Hughes believes that would give his players a major psychological boost going into the New Year.
"We've found it very difficult to get into that top half so far, but everyone here feels once we get in there, that's where we'll stay," said the Rovers boss.
"At the moment, it's a little bit frustrating because every time you put on the text, there's two halves to the table and unfortunately we always seem to be at the top of the bottom half, so we need to get into that top half and we are more than capable of it.
"We view ourselves as a top 10 side, if not better."
Hughes will make a late check on the fitness of Andy Todd before naming his side after the skipper picked up a knock in the 2-0 Boxing Day win at Boro.
He added: "Andy's a real concern.
"After the game his knee was very swollen and the fact it blew up so quickly after the impact was a cause for concern, so you'd have to say that Andy is doubtful.
"But he's a guy that doesn't like to miss out so he may surprise us yet."
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