MARK Hughes is planning to heap more misery on Kevin Keegan this weekend by pushing Newcastle United closer to the Premier League's relegation trapdoor.

A visit from Hughes and Blackburn has proved to be the kiss of death for two of Keegan's predecessors, with Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder both losing their jobs on the back of home defeats to Rovers in each of the last two seasons.

But, while another Rovers victory at St James' Park on Saturday would inevitably turn up the heat on Keegan, who has yet to win since his much publicised Second Coming' last month, Hughes believes there is no danger the Magpies chief will become another of his victims'.

Angry post-match demonstrations, instigated by Newcastle supporters disenchanted by the malaise surrounding their club, have accompanied Rovers' last two visits to Tyneside.

In January 2006, Morten Gamst Pedersen scored the only goal in a 1-0 Rovers win, and that proved to be Souness's last home match as Newcastle's manager before he was relieved of his duties 11 days later.

Then last season, another Rovers victory, this time courtesy of goals from Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts, ensured Roeder suffered a similar fate.

Now Hughes is looking to exploit the growing sense of unease on Tyneside by plunging the Magpies deeper into trouble at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

But, regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game, the Rovers chief believes Keegan WILL get the time he needs to turn things around.

Referring to the fall-out from Rovers' previous two visits to St James', Hughes said: "It's something we are aware of and it's a co-incidence but it's not going to happen for a third time.

"I don't expect this will be the last home game for Kevin Keegan. He made a big decision to go back there and it's one that wouldn't have been taken lightly.

"I'm sure he thinks he will be there for the long-term, and Newcastle will give him every opportunity to get it right.

"Results-wise it's been hard for Kevin. But it takes time when you're new to a job, as the Premier League is a difficult place to be.

"If you haven't had time to address things then it can be difficult to win games.

"We have to view Newcastle as a winnable game, they are struggling at the moment, and it's a while since they've won in the Premier League."

In the meantime, Hughes insists he has nothing to prove' as he prepares to face Newcastle for the first time since he was touted as a possible successor to Sam Allardyce at St James'.

At one point, Hughes was the bookies' favourite to take over at United, before the Newcastle board shocked the football world by plumping for Keegan instead.

The Rovers chief added in the Sun: "That's all in the past now. It was just speculation - I took a step back and tried to keep my distance and I got criticised for that.

"I never really felt I was in the running for it and with the appointment that was made, I think that was borne out.

"I always said I was happy at Blackburn, and that's still the case, so it's not something I worry about day in, day out.

"I certainly don't feel like I'm going up there with anything to prove.

"We're looking to try and boost our European ambitions."