Rovers face relegation-threatened Birmingham at St Andrews, where all the focus will be on the home side and what fellow strugglers Fulham and Reading are doing.

However, Blackburn still have something to play for themselves as they try to catch Aston Villa, one point ahead in sixth and occupying the single spot available for the Intertoto Cup.

If Hughes' side are to realise their European ambitions they have to beat Birmingham and hope Villa drop points at West Ham.

"Everyone is aware of Birmingham's plight and it is going to be a very difficult day for them irrespective of what we do," said the Rovers boss.

"It is important we don't get wrapped up in their situation. There is a lot riding on it for both clubs.

"We have to be ready for the atmosphere. I'm sure everyone will be trying to get an insight into what is happening in the other games.

"We have just go to go out there and get our job done and attain what we want.

"It is going to be tense but if we show anything like what we are capable of I think that will further worry them."

Blackburn head into the match in decent form, having taken seven points from a possible nine - including a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United - and have lost just twice in 11 matches.

That run has re-ignited a bid for European football which looked a distant hope after losing ground on Villa in late March and early April.

"We are aiming for that Intertoto spot people didn't think we would get anywhere near but we have kept going and others have fallen by the wayside," said Hughes.

"It is a long hard season and for us to still be involved with one game to go is a great effort by everyone.

"We want to get to the end of the 38th game and make sure we have got something to show for it.

"We will be disappointed if we don't get European football but it won't be a disappointing season because we have progressed from last year.

"We are ahead of our points total [last year] already and I think it has been a better season.

"We've had some disappointments in the cup which may have clouded people's view of the actual season we have had but the Premier League has been great for us."

Hughes pointed to their misfortune in the Premier League's big four not helping out teams lower down by winning one of the cup competitions which carry UEFA places.

Tottenham claimed one by beating Chelsea in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup will be contested by Portsmouth, not already qualified for Europe, and Cardiff.

Had Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool claimed one of those trophies - and subsequently qualified for the Champions League - the knock-on effect would have freed up another UEFA Cup slot.

That would have meant Blackburn would currently be in the Intertoto Cup position.

Ironically, on Friday European football's governing body announced an extra UEFA Cup slot would be available to England via the Fair Play League but as Blackburn are bottom of the standings there is no chance of them taking that, with Manchester City most likely to benefit.

"Even if we win on Sunday we may possibly miss out. To get 61 points and not get a European spot is unheard of," said Hughes.

"We do all the maths before the season starts and the average is 60.3 over the last 10 or so years for a UEFA Cup place.

"It is just how the season has panned out. The big four haven't got any of the cups on their mantelpiece and as a consequence it has affected us."