Hughes snubs Rovers

Mark Hughes, the Wales coach, insists he has "no plans" to quit his job amid speculation that he is being lined up to replace Graeme Souness as Blackburn Rovers' new manager.

The FA of Wales insists it has had no approach from any club wanting to employ its manager, and Hughes is expected to announce the squad to face England in October at a press conference next week in Cardiff.

The Rovers defender Craig Short has said that Hughes would be a popular appointment in the dressing room but Hughes, who ended his playing career at Ewood Park, claims he is still planning ahead for the 9 October tie with England at Old Trafford. He is also remaining defiant about Wales' chances of qualifying for Germany 2006 despite a stuttering start to their campaign with draws against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland.

Hughes said: "I have no plans to leave the post, which is more than just a job to me and our World Cup campaign is far from over. I am a Welshman who is as proud today of being national team manager as I was on the day I was appointed to the job. And it's ridiculous to say the qualifying group is over because I remember as a player losing 5-1 in an opening World Cup qualifier and yet we took it to the last game in the group."