MARK HUGHES has reassured the Welsh FA that he will honour the remaining two-years on his contract as Wales boss.

Sparky had been linked with the previously vacant managerial post at Division One side Preston North End, which was filled by ex-Scotland chief Craig Brown last weekend.

Hughes admitted his long-term goal is to be a club manager but quickly added not until Wales have completed their European Championship 2004 campaign at least.

The Wales boss said: "A lot of names were thrown into the hat for the Preston job. "It was speculation and I viewed it as recognition that many people, especially in football circles, understand that I'm doing a decent job for Wales.

"Eventually I want to be a club manager but that's for the future. I have two years left on my contract as Wales manager and it is a job that is very close to my heart.

"Due to the amount of work that I've done and the direction we're going, it would be very difficult to give that up.

"I feel we are going in the right direction and I wouldn't want anyone else reaping the rewards for the hard work I have done."

Hughes confirmed he still hasn't made his mind up whether to hang up his playing boots, and added that this decision could be made for him as Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness will decide whether to offer the 38-year-old an extended contract in the summer.

He said: "When this season is over, I will sit down with my family and make a decision on what I'm going to do. I have not had any discussion about a new contract at Blackburn so the decision could be made for me.

"I feel I could carry on playing at some kind of level and that's why it is such a difficult decision."

Hughes said that he would drop down to a lower division if the club and situation was right and if Blackburn released him.

And after his vintage display for Blackburn in their Worthington Cup final win against Tottenham Hotspur, there are bound to be some clubs who will interested if Hughes becomes available.

The Welsh FA assume that, if Hughes does retire from playing, he will take up the national manager's post full-time, but Hughes said: "I don't feel there's a lot more that I can do with the preparation of the senior side if I had the tag of Wales' full-time boss."