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INCE DREAMS OF WEMBLEY
Paul Ince - targets Europe.
Blackburn manager Paul Ince is eyeing victory over Premier League rivals Sunderland in the fourth round of the Carling Cup as he looks for a route into European football.
But Ince, who arrived at Rovers as Mark Hughes' replacement earlier this summer, accepts there are 16 other managers who are just as eager to lift the trophy.
Blackburn were handed a visit to the Stadium of Light in Saturday's last-16 draw in one of the three all Premier League matches - with holders Tottenham hosting seven-time winners Liverpool and Arsenal at home to Wigan in the other two.
Of those sides, Arsenal are certain to keep faith with their impressive youngsters after their 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United in the third round, while the Reds, Manchester United and Chelsea are likely to follow suit to some extent.
But Ince, for one, will not be using the competition to rotate his squad.
"It is a very important competition for us, we all want to play at Wembley," he said.
"It is a road to get into Europe so yes it is important. The bread and butter is the Premier League and you've always to make sure from the start that you get the points to stay in it.
"But on the other side of the coin if we can have a nice run in a cup then course we want to go all the way. But there are another 16 teams probably saying the same thing."
Tottenham, who defeated Chelsea to lift the trophy last season, took a break from their league troubles to dump Newcastle out in the previous round but face the sternest of tasks against a side with the best record of anyone in the league cup.
Liverpool's seventh and most recent win came in 2003, with a runners-up finish coming two years later.
Chelsea have been handed a home draw against a Burnley side who accounted for Fulham with a 1-0 win in the third round, while United are also paired with a side capable of giant-killing.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men face Iain Dowie's QPR, who came out 1-0 winners over on-form Aston Villa on Wednesday, ending a sequence of three consecutive wins for Martin O'Neill's team.
The other remaining Premier League side in the draw, Stoke, are at home to Rotherham and Championship sides Swansea and Watford will meet at the Liberty Stadium.
The final match sees Leeds visit one of Brighton or Derby, who play their third-round clash on November 4.
All fourth-round matches will be played in the week commencing November 10.
Full draw:
Sunderland v Blackburn
Arsenal v Wigan
Chelsea v Burnley
Swansea v Watford
Man Utd v QPR
Stoke v Rotherham
Brighton/Derby v Leeds
Tottenham v Liverpool