BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is unlikely to join the running for Aston Villa's unsettled defender Mark Delaney when the transfer window opens in eight days' time.

Hughes has been strongly linked with a move for the Welsh international, who slapped in a transfer request earlier this week after Villa delayed talks over a new contract.

However, sources close to Hughes have revealed that the Rovers boss is not interested in signing the versatile 29-year-old.

Rovers already boast one of the largest squads in the Premier League and Hughes is only interested in signing players who are good enough to walk into his starting eleven.

Although Delaney is an experienced right-back, Hughes is more than happy with the performances of Lucas Neill, who has returned to form.

The addition of another senior defender would also block the path of promising Academy starlet Eddie Nolan.

Hughes, however, has not ruled out the possibility of some senior squad members leaving Ewood in January.

Lorenzo Amoruso, Vratislav Gresko and Garry Flitcroft have all failed to force their way into the first team this season and Hughes is ready to listen to offers for all three.

Asked if there were any imminent departures, Hughes responded: "Some guys may need football and it may suit them and it may suit us."