MARK Hughes has laughed off speculation linking Morten Gamst Pedersen with a summer switch to Old Trafford.

And he has warned potential suitors of the Norwegian wing wizard to forget about trying to snatch him on the cheap.

Reports have suggested an £8 million clause in the 25-year-old's contract could see him leave Ewood Park if a rival club was to stump up the cash - with long-time admirer Sir Alex Ferguson rumoured to be ready to test Rovers' resolve.

But Hughes said: "There's absolutely no chance. That would be nowhere near enough.

"Morten has just signed a new contract and that's his message to everybody. He understands where he is in his career, he wants to stay here and keep progressing because he knows he will if he stays here.

"He's a good young talent and I'm not surprised that there's interest in him. But we made a commitment to Morten and he made a commitment to us and we're more than happy with the decision he's made."

Pedersen, who has enjoyed a successful three years at Rovers, was linked with a move to White Hart Lane last summer, before penning a new four-year deal to stay at Blackburn.

And Rovers chairman John Williams added: "If Mark is keen to keep Morten, and I assume that is the case, then I am confident that he'll be with us next season."

Meanwhile, Hughes is confident Pedersen can bounce back from his FA Cup semi-final heartache against Chelsea, and help engineer a vital win over basement boys Watford tonight.

The midfielder came agonisingly close to scoring a last gasp winner against Jose Mourinho's millionaires, but watched in horror as his header bounced wide.

But Hughes said: "We gave them Monday off because it was an emotional day for everybody and I think it was important that we just got away from the club and thought about what happened and when we come back in, we're back on the job in hand and we're looking to get Premier League points.

"What's gone is gone and now we've got to really focus on the last few games of the season.

"He (Morten) was disappointed at the time, it was a good chance and we understand that. But his general performance was excellent. It was a good free-kick for the goal and he doesn't need to beat himself up about it. It was an opportunity and I said at the time, the one guy you want in that situation with the ball in the air is Morten because he has great ability in the air.

"He said himself that he made the decision to place it rather than go for power. Hindsight's a wonderful thing, maybe he should have gone for power."