BRYAN HUGHES’ love affair with the FA Cup continued during Charlton’s 4-1 win over Rochdale at The Valley on Saturday.

The 28-year-old midfielder’s brace were his first goals for the club and put him in contention for a place in the starting line-up against his former club Birmingham on Saturday.

It was not the first time Hughes had turned on the style on the cup. He was also part of the Wrexham side that got to the quarter-finals of the competition in 1997.

He said: "We beat Birmingham at St Andrews and West Ham at Upton Park that year. It was a great feeling and I scored in every round, so my pedigree in the cup is pretty good.

"I scored a few for Birmingham as well. I don’t know what the cup does, but it brings out the goals in me."

There was potential for Hughes to be on the receiving end of a cup shock on Saturday, but he was pleased the Addicks were able to enjoy a smooth passage into the fourth round.

He said: "Having been there with Wrexham, I know what it is like to be the giant killer. It is always tough playing against lower league teams that you don’t know much about.

"When Rochdale got one back to make it 2-1, they had a go at us. The longer the game had gone on, and we hadn’t got a third, the more they would have thought they had a chance of sneaking a replay."

Hughes has spent much of the season on the bench since arriving at The Valley on a Bosman free transfer in the summer.

His last start came during the 1-0 win over Blackburn in September, and he was delighted to be back in the side.

Hughes, who signed a three-year contract with the Addicks, said: "The manager changed it about a bit against Rochdale and gave me a chance. Hopefully, I took it and gave him something to think about for next week.

"The same sort of thing happened to me at Birmingham and, when I did get my chance, I took it. Steve Bruce kept faith with me and, hopefully, Alan (Curbishley) will do the same."

Despite being at his most effective in central midfield, Hughes has predominantly been used in wide positions this season.

He got his first opportunity on Saturday to start in the three-man central midfield that forms part of the 4-5-1 formation Charlton switched to in October.

Hughes said: "I can play on the wing, but my preferred position is in the middle. I think Alan knows that and has been trying to get me in there, but the team had been on a good run.

"We’ve been beaten in the last couple of league games and he changed things against Rochdale so, hopefully, I can keep my place."

Hughes will have the added bonus of lining up against his former Birmingham team-mates if he does stay in the side.

He said: "Obviously it would be nice to be involved against them. I played in the game at St Andrews and did okay there so, fingers crossed, I’ll play."