Blackburn boss Mark Hughes believes he now has a stronger squad than ever before but admits the pressure to deliver has grown with it.

Rovers got back to winning ways by beating Newcastle last weekend after their strong start to the Barclays Premier League season was undermined by a run of four games without a win.

They remain firmly in European contention just four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and Hughes is confident Rovers have the quality to last the pace.

The only problem is choosing who to play with Hughes admitting he has had plenty of selection headaches. And with the Christmas programme approaching, he is expecting plenty more.

"That's what we want," Hughes said. "I have said we have a great squad this year, great quality.

"When players go out of the team it is sometimes difficult to get back in. They have to be patient and wait for their opportunity and, when they get it, play well and give me an even bigger headache.

"They have to understand it is a little bit different this year. There will be times when I pick certain players for certain types of games and that's something new they have to understand.

"I haven't had that option in previous years because of the quality and depth of the squad. In some games I may change personnel irrespective of whether they have done great the week before.

"But that is my job. I have got to make sure I get those decisions right."

One player itching to get back into the side is midfielder Robbie Savage, who has been an unused substitute for three consecutive games since recovering from knee surgery.

Hughes insists his fellow Welshman will get his chance soon enough but admits it is difficult to give everyone opportunities particularly with Steven Reid, returning from long-term injury, also pressing to play.

Hughes said: "Robbie is fit now and available for selection. He is obviously a little bit frustrated because he would have liked to go straight back into the side but at the moment he is just going to have to bide his time.

"He will play games, he knows that. At the moment we have a situation where we are trying to get game-time into Steven Reid, so when they are both on the bench I am more inclined at the moment to get more game-time into Steven than Sav.

"He understands that but it is a heck of a period this time of year. We are going to have to use the squad."

Rovers host West Ham on Sunday in a replay of a stormy encounter in March when the Londoners came from behind to secure a controversial late win.

The Hammers, who were then bottom of the table and in serious relegation danger, had trailed until Carlos Tevez converted a contentious 71st-minute penalty. Bobby Zamora then scored an even more disputable winner four minutes later with TV replays showing his shot had not crossed the line.

Hughes said: "I think we are only just getting over that one. It all seemed to happen at once in that game.

"There were some strange decisions, incidents that affected us adversely.

"It was one of those games we had to take it on the chin and try to move on. At the time it could have really affected us in a detrimental way because at that time we were pushing for a top-six spot and it stopped us in our tracks.

"Thankfully we were able to get into Europe via the Intertoto route because it could have had a real effect on our season."

Hughes feels his side are in good shape for this weekend's action with the 3-1 win over Newcastle having restored confidence.

Rovers were thrashed 4-0 by Aston Villa in their previous match and Hughes had called for a better performance.

"I was pleased with the response," Hughes said. "It was a big game for both teams.

"We were under a little bit of pressure to bounce back quickly and are delighted we did. I think we more than deserved the result on the performance."

The only downside to last week's win was the yellow card shown to two-goal hero David Bentley.

The former Arsenal midfielder is now suspended for the Hammers' visit along with defender Ryan Nelsen.