BLACKBURN Rovers are hoping to avoid selling any of their top players to free up January transfer window funds for Mark Hughes.

Weekend speculation linked Barry Ferguson with a move to re-join former Rovers manager Graeme Souness at Newcastle in the new year, a deal which would net current Blackburn boss Hughes a lucrative transfer kitty.

But Rovers are insisting that no discussions have taken place regarding the sale of their skipper, or any members of the first team squad.

However, if potential bids for their players become too tempting to turn down, they will use any cash raised to help Hughes strengthen his side.

Chief executive John Williams said: "There might be one or two fringe players we will be looking to move on but there's been no significant conversations about transfers yet.

"There's been no offers and we don't anticipate there will be at this early stage.

"But the general rule is that if we do raise any money in the transfer market we would spend it.

"The situation is, Mark has only been here a month and is still in the process of evaluating what he's got.

"History has shown that if you try to keep changing players too quickly that rarely produces a fix.

"What we have to do is get our heads down and improve results, that's our focus."

Rovers were left stranded at the bottom of the Premiership yesterday after Southampton managed a 0-0 against Birmingham.

They fell to the foot of the table on goal difference, which dropped to minus 15 on Saturday when they suffered their second 4-0 defeat in succession.

Chelsea's victory was the fifth time Blackburn have lost in five away games this season, but despite the desperate situation, Hughes is playing down any eagerness he has to raid the transfer market.

"I think everybody is thinking in the same manner," said the Blackburn boss.

"The window opens in January and most clubs are looking to strengthen in that period."