Hughes in deal talks

The Welshman has performed a minor miracle in transforming Rovers from relegation candidates to Champions League contenders in the 18 months since he succeeded Graeme Souness in the Ewood Park hot-seat.

Now the club are ready to reward Hughes with a bumper long-term deal, which they hope will be enough to ward off potential suitors for his services in the future.

"It's very early days yet but we have started the process," said chairman John Williams today.

"We've held preliminary discussions and it's something the club wants to do and we think Mark wants to do, too.

"Mark has done an excellent job in the time he's been at the club and this is a reward for the results and achievements to date.

"It's also important for the club (that we get his long-term future sorted out) so there's something to be gained by both parties.

"Hopefully, the negotiating process will proceed smoothly to a successful conclusion in the next few weeks."

Hughes signed a two-year fixed contract when he agreed to take over at Blackburn in September 2004, with a rolling 12-month deal due to take effect this summer.

However, his reputation within the game has since grown immeasurably and he's now considered to be one of the Premiership's brightest young managers, which is why the club are eager to secure his services on a more long term basis, particularly after Hughes was recently linked with the Manchester United job.

Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, two key members of Hughes' backroom team, will also be offered new deals, too.

When Hughes and his management team first succeeded Souness, they inherited a side that was nineteenth in the Premiership and staring relegation in the face, but they have since transformed Rovers into one of the league's most consistent teams.

Last week's victory over Arsenal saw Blackburn climb to fifth in the table and they could go level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham this weekend if they were to beat the Londoners at White Hart Lane.