CRAIG Bellamy has urged Mark Hughes to do everything in his power to persuade Tugay to sign a new deal with Blackburn Rovers.

The Turkish midfielder is out of contract in the summer and, despite opening preliminary talks with the club, has yet to put pen to paper on a new one.

Now Bellamy, who played 78 minutes for Wales in their 0-0 friendly draw with Paraguay last night, has begged the 35-year-old to extend his stay at Ewood Park because he reckons there are very few players like him in world football.

The Rovers striker said: "I think we'd all be the first to say we are very fortunate with the players we've got here, especially with Tugay.

"You won't get another Tugay - that's a fact. We've got to hope and pray that he signs another contract.

"I'm sure he'll do what's best for him and if he feels he's got another year here then that will be great."

Bellamy is desperate for the midfield maestro to stay because he's one of the main beneficiaries of the silver service the former Galatasaray star continues to provide from the centre of the park.

When Hughes first offered the Turk a new 12-month deal at the beginning of last summer, many expected this to be his last season in Premiership football as he entered the twilight of his career.

However, Tugay has surpassed all expectations this term, making 29 appearances so far, and at times, he's played as well as at any point during his Rovers career.

Bellamy added: "I can only imagine what it must have been like to play with him five or six years ago when he was playing further up the pitch.

"He's a genius and an exceptional player. He plays a massive part in the way we play at Blackburn.

"He gets the ball, he gets it down, he builds little moves, and he makes my job up front a whole lot easier."

Tugay has already had an offer to play in Qatar next season and it's thought a posse of Turkish clubs would also be interested in his services should he indicate he's ready to bring the curtain down on his Premiership career after five seasons at Ewood Park.