Blackburn Rovers claim not to have been contacted by Newcastle for permission to approach manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes became the bookies' favourite to take over at St James's Park after Harry Redknapp turned the manager's job down, and the Welshman yesterday stopped short of ruling himself out.

Blackburn's chairman John Williams, however, insisted that he has had no contact with Newcastle.

"We have had no contact from Newcastle whatsoever," Williams said this afternoon.

Hughes has made it clear it would take a lot to tempt him to leave Blackburn, who are only three points off a Champions League spot, but his success has made him the subject of speculation whenever a high-profile manager's job has come elsewhere.

Following Blackburn's win over Bolton, Hughes said: "I have support from the chairman and the board. That is something you do not give up lightly.

"The fact is I have continuity here and a good situation. Things are in place, and I am very conscious of that.

"All I am trying to do is my job to the best of my ability with the help of my staff.

"I am not into self-promotion, but speculation has surrounded me in the past.

"But I am still Blackburn manager and have a job to do here."