Hughes has remained silent over several days of increased media speculation that he is being lined up to replace Graeme Souness as Blackburn Rover's new manager.

The FA of Wales insist they have had no approach from any club, Blackburn or otherwise, and he is expected to announce the squad to face England in October at a press conference next week in Cardiff.

Hughes claims he is still planning ahead for the 09 October clash with England at Old Trafford while remaining defiant about Wales' chances of qualifying for Germany 2006.

The match will see Hughes return to his old club ground where, in two spells as a Manchester United player, he scored over 100 goals.

Wales will be looking to react to a slightly stuttering start to their campaign with a good result against England and Hughes knows there is still plenty of time left for his side to challenge for World Cup qualification.

He said: "I have no plans to leave the post, which is more than just a job to me. And our World Cup campaign is far from over.

"I am a Welshman who is as proud today of being national team manager as I was on the day I was appointed to the job.

"And it's ridiculous to say the qualifying group is over because I remember as a player losing 5-1 in an opening World Cup qualifier and yet we took it to the last game in the group."