BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes insists contract talks with Tugay are still on track - even though he dropped him for Rovers' FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea last week.

Speculation in the national press claimed Tugay's future at the club had been plunged into doubt following Hughes' surprise decision to axe him for the biggest game of the season.

But although the Rovers boss has admitted the midfield maestro was disappointed' to be overlooked at Old Trafford, he's still hopeful the 36-year-old will sign a one-year contract extension this summer.

"Tugay is always disappointed when you leave him out, and he is always disappointed when you take him off because he just wants to play football," said Hughes.

"But there's no issue there. I've explained the reasons and the thinking behind it, and he accepted that.

"He's still got a very important part to play here."

Rovers are keen to keep the veteran Turk at Ewood for another 12 months after he has rolled back the years with some vintage performances this season.

The basic terms of a deal have virtually been agreed by the two parties, but Tugay is believed to want certain reassurances about the extent of his role next season before he commits himself.

"His representatives have talked to John Williams in the last week or so we'll see where we go on that," said Hughes.