Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says the Carling Cup is again a major target for the Premiership's big clubs.

After their thrashing of Scunthorpe United, Hughes said: "You just need to look at the quality of sides left in the tournament to know that clubs are now taking it more seriously.

"They are giving it more significance than they have done in the past. We made a statement right at the beginning that we would take it seriously and have a good run at it.

"We are now in the last eight with a lot of big clubs. We are in good shape, we are playing well and let's hope we get a good draw."