Phil Brown says tonight's trip to Blackburn Rovers is one of the most important games of the season so far.

The Tigers go into the clash at Ewood Park having taken five points from three home games last week and Brown knows another positive result tonight would put further daylight between City and the relegation zone.

"We're going into a game that, for me, is one of the most important games of the season," said Brown.

"It's an opportunity for us to pull away from the pack at the bottom and it's an opportunity for us to move just a point behind Blackburn, who people are saying are out of the relegation battle because of their position in the table.

"But it's never that easy and there'll be loads of twists and turns. We have to go to Blackburn with the confidence that we've got from our home games and turn it into a performance worthy of getting a win.

"If we can get a win at Blackburn, it won't half alleviate any pressure that might be around."

With Andy Dawson and George Boateng fitness doubts, Brown may have to make changes to his side tonight but hopes to see the same energy levels that caused Chelsea and Manchester City problems at the KC Stadium.

"It's important that we have energy in the team and that we cause Blackburn problems because of that energy.

"The quality that we had against Manchester City also needs to be on show.

"We've made one change in the last three games. When that happens, you get a bit of continuity, but you also get that doubt about whether we've got the legs to survive the 90 minutes of football."

Watch the full interview with Phil Brown on TIGERS Player now.