Wales must employ a full-time manager to replace Mark Hughes, according to captain Gary Speed, pictured. Hughes will step down next month following the World Cup qualifiers against England and Poland after taking charge at Blackburn.

For those two games - on October 9 and 13 - he will combine his roles at country and club.

But Speed claimed it is not a route Wales should go down long-term with a new manager.

"The way Mark has managed the team, even though it is not on a day-to-day basis, it does take up a lot of time," the Bolton midfielder said.

"You look at the detail and the professionalism (under Mark), you cannot do it part-time.

"I have not really thought about who will take over as I am concentrating on my job at Bolton. There are possibly two or three candidates."

Hughes saw Blackburn defeat Portsmouth in his opening match in charge and Speed is not surprised he has moved on.

Matt Jansen came in from the cold to get the former Manchester United striker off to a winning start.

Speed said: "I think Mark has made a good decision. The time is probably right. I can't blame him."

* Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has given England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson his blessing to pick Wayne Rooney for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Azerbaijan.

New signing Rooney will not be available for Manchester United's Barclays Premiership match with Liverpool tomorrow night as he recovers from the broken foot he suffered during 2004.

However, Ferguson feels the 18-year-old striker is not far off full fitness and will benefit from joining up with the England squad.

"Wayne has been doing a lot of training but so far, because of medical advice, there has been no contact work," Ferguson said.

"Now he is about to have what we are hoping will be his final medical and if he comes through that, if he is selected for the England squad that will be fine.

"I will have no problems with Rooney going off with England. In fact, it might be good for the boy because he really needs games now."