Hughes plays waiting game with Nonda

Mark Hughes is refusing to be rushed over Shabani Nonda's long-term future at Blackburn.

On loan from Roma, the striker stepped off the bench to score a dramatic late goal in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup.

Hughes said: "We have an option on him, and a decision will be made at the appropriate time. That is the end of the season."

Nonda pegged the goal back three minutes from time to set things up nicely for the return match at Ewood Park next Thursday, in this round of the last 32.

He cracked home a shot via the underside of the bar to stun Leverkusen, who had been in the driving seat.

David Bentley had cancelled out the opener from Leverkusen's Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker - with a cracking effort that took a deflection of Carsten Ramelow.

Ramelow and Bernd Schneider then extended the Bundesliga side's advantage before Nonda struck.

Bentley told Five: "We started very well. We had a lot of chances but we didn't take them - and we conceded some bad goals.

"I am pleased to get on the scoresheet, but it was more important to get the away goals.

"It was a great finish from Nonda - we got a bit lucky, but there you go. Now we are just looking to take it into the second leg."