Mark Hughes, the Blackburn Rovers manager, believes he has a stronger squad than last season but admits the pressure to deliver has grown with it.

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

The club are only four points behind Liverpool, who are fourth, and remain in contention for a European place.

The only problem for Hughes is choosing who to pick. The former Wales manager admits that he has a selection headache but 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 team is Robbie Savage, the midfielder, who has been an unused substitute for three consecutive games since recovering from knee surgery.

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

“Robbie is fit now and available for selection,” Hughes said. “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.”

Blackburn host West Ham United on Sunday in a sequel to the stormy encounter in March when the Londoners came from behind to secure a controversial late win.

West Ham, who were 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 replays showing his shot had not crossed the line.

“I think we are only just getting over that one,” Hughes said. “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.”

Hughes feels his side are in good shape for this weekend’s action with the 3-1 win over Newcastle United having restored confidence. Blackburn 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,” he 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 David Bentley. The former Arsenal midfielder, who scored two goals in that victory, is suspended for West Ham’s visit, along with Ryan Nelsen, the New Zealand defender.