Hughes can talk to Rovers

The Football Association of Wales have given national boss Mark Hughes permission to speak to Blackburn over their vacant managerial post.

The FAW's decision could now pave the way for the former Manchester United hero to move into Premiership management before the weekend.

The FAW also intend, if Hughes does take the post at Ewood Park, for him to continue as part-time manager of Wales for their next two World Cup qualifiers.

Those games, against England at Old Trafford on October 9 and in Cardiff on October 13, will be Hughes' last in charge of his country.

After that, Hughes would revert to being in charge of Blackburn while Wales will start their search for a new manager.

Wales do not have another World Cup tie until next March, so there will be plenty of time to find a successor.

The leading candidates are Wales' leading goalscorer of all time, Ian Rush and former Swansea boss Bryan Flynn.

John Toshack, who had one match as Wales manager in 1994 before quitting controversial, also has some support.

Sir Bobby Robson, with Gary Speed as his assistant, has also been suggested as an option.
Blackburn officially approached Wales for permission to speak to Hughes this morning, and a group of senior FAW officials met immediately to discuss the situation, led by secretary general David Collins.

At today's meeting in Cardiff were vice president Peter Rees, treasurer Idwal Williams, chairman of the management committee Ken Tucker and president Tegwyn Evans.

Hughes technically does not have a release agreement in his contract, but there is a buy-out clause which means that he - or his prospective new employers - must pay compensation, and that gives the FAW room for negotiation. The figure could be around £300,000.

If Hughes does quit Wales, he would be expected to take his coach Mark Bowen with him to Ewood Park. The former Norwich and West Ham defender has only recently left Birmingham where he was Steve Bruce's first-team coach.