Everton assistant boss Steve Round says they're taking seriously tonight's Carling Cup tie at Blackburn.

He said: "The Carling Cup is very important to this club.

"We are very keen to win a trophy - as every team should be.

"I have been there and won it as a coach at one of my previous clubs and I know what it means - you have to get through these rounds to get to the main event and it is a big competition and we take it very seriously.

"[At Middlesbrough] all the hard work and all the graft was well worth it when you stepped in the arena for the final.

"It was amazing and to go on and win it was incredible as well and it was a springboard for better things for the club.

"We went into Europe and had a good run and we got to the UEFA Cup final and it does help you recruit better players and put teams on the map.

"Everton is a bit different because it is already on the map and Everton should be competing for trophies at the highest level."