Blackburn chairman John Williams reiterated on Monday that he has received no approach from Newcastle for manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce and comments following his team's victory at Bolton on Sunday did little to quell suggestions the Welshman would be attracted to the sizeable challenge of The Magpies.

However Williams insists that Hughes has challenges aplenty in his existing job at Ewood Park - namely Rovers' pursuit of a Champions League place. In three and a half years at the helm, Hughes has transformed Rovers into The Premier League's most successful provincial town club and Williams is understandably keen to ward off interest.

"We have not received any approach from Newcastle United for Mark Hughes," said Williams.

"He is doing a great job here and we obviously want to keep him.

"We are chasing a Champions League place so why would he want to leave?"