BLACKBURN Rovers insist they have not received an approach from Newcastle United for manager Mark Hughes.

According to well-placed sources in the North East, Hughes is one of several names being considered by the Magpies as they begin the search for a new manager to replace Sam Allardyce.

However, at the time of going to press, Rovers had not been contacted by anyone from Newcastle, and the message coming out of Ewood was it's business as usual', with Hughes and his coaching staff busily preparing for Sunday's derby date with Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok.

A senior Rovers source told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We've heard nothing from Newcastle United and that's how we hope it stays."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is thought to be the number one choice of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, and the Magpies chief is reportedly ready to offer him an eye-watering salary increase.

But the Pompey boss was coy about the speculation linking him with a move from the South Coast club yesterday.

"I really do not know anything about this. I have not spoken to anyone from Newcastle," said Redknapp.

"When I saw Sam had left, my immediate thoughts were that Alan Shearer was a certainty to take over.

"There's nothing in my being linked with the job. I had an offer not so long ago to take over at what I consider a massive club but I didn't go.

"I am happy down on the south coast."

If Redknapp was to rule himself out of the running, then it is thought Ashley could switch his attention to Hughes, who has built up an impressive reputation as one of the brightest young managers in the game during his three and a half years in the Rovers hot-seat.

The Magpies are thought to be looking for an experienced British manager who is already in a job - criteria which both Redknapp and Hughes clearly fulfil.

It's not the first time Hughes has been linked with moves elsewhere; earlier this season, he was thought to be on the shortlist at Tottenham when they were looking for a successor to Martin Jol.

However, the Welshman seems to be happy at Ewood, and he only recently signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract, which ties him to the club until the summer of 2010.