BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is ready to offer Paul Dickov a new contract in a bid to ward off interest from a number of Premiership rivals.

A story in the national Press earlier this week claimed the Scotland international was considering moving on after growing frustrated by Hughes' policy to rotate his three main strikers.

However, Hughes will underline the faith he has in the 33-year-old by opening talks about a new deal in the next few weeks, which will hopefully persuade him that his future lies at Ewood Park.

Dickov, whose current contract expires in the summer, has proved to be a great acquistion for Rovers since he joined from Leicester City in a cut-price £150,000 move 18 months ago.

He was the club's top-scoring last season with 10 goals, even though he spent most of the campaign playing up front on his own, and he's contributed a further seven goals this term as Rovers have forced their way into the top half of the Premiership.

But Dickov was reported to be 'fuming' at being overlooked by Hughes for the recent Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester United, prompting fears that he may have become third choice behind Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi.

Premiership rivals Everton and Manchester City, one of Dickov's former clubs, are both thought to be ready to pounce if the Scot was to indicate he had become unsettled.

But Rovers plan to reassure the player that he's still very much part of Hughes' plans for the future by putting a new deal on the table.