MARK Hughes insists he has total respect for Cesc Fabregas despite being involved in a heated tête-à-tête with the Spaniard at the Emirates Stadium 11 days ago.

The cocky Arsenal midfielder, who looks certain to receive a hot reception at Ewood Park tonight, incensed Hughes when he dared to question Rovers' tactics after they held the Gunners to a 0-0 draw in their fifth round FA Cup tie.

Frustrated by Rovers' gameplan, Fabregas took an angry swipe at Hughes as he made his way down the tunnel at the final whistle, even mocking the fact the Welshman once used to play for Barcelona.

That prompted a ferocious response from the Rovers chief, who later said in his post-match conference that Fabregas should have shown more respect' to a man who has won the FA Cup four times as a player.

Fabregas later knocked on Rovers' dressing room door and made a grovelling apology, claiming he acted in the heat of the moment, which was graciously accepted by Hughes.

Now the Rovers boss wants to draw a line under the whole episode, but not before he has had the last laugh by dumping Arsenal - and Fabregas - out of the FA Cup tonight.

The Welshman, who has the scent of Wembley in his nostrils once again, said: "I've put the whole Fabregas thing to bed now.

"In fairness to him, he came in and apologised very, very quickly after the game, and I took it in the right spirit.

"It was meant sincerely because I would have known if it wasn't, so that's the end of the matter from my point of view.

"He made the point that he wants to win every game, and when he doesn't he gets frustrated.

"To be at a top club, you have to have that winners' mentality, and Arsenal players have that individually and collectively.

"They take defeat poorly and that's not a criticism, it's sometimes a trait you want as a manager."

That same winning mentality famously coursed through Hughes' veins during a playing career in which he amassed a staggering haul of 13 winners' medals.

But the Rovers boss believes Fabregas has the talent to be even more successful, providing he remains focussed on his football.

"I was okay as a player but he certainly has the potential to win twice as many medals as I won if he stays at the top as long as everyone anticipates he will do," said Hughes magnanimously.

"I think he's got an edge about him and everyone has seen that.

"If you look back at all the great players over the years, they always had that little bit of an edge to them, and it's not a bad thing as long as it's kept in check."