ROVERS winger Duff went to the World Cup as £10million rated player but returned today with his value nearer the £25million mark.

But irrespective of what the biggest clubs in England and Europe are willing to pay for him, Blackburn Rovers remain determined to hang on to one of the hottest properties in world football.

Chief executive John Williams claimed today: "I have every reason to believe that Damien Duff will be playing in the blue and white shirt of Blackburn next season.

"The high valuations that have been put on him don't surprise us because that is what Graeme has always said, he is in the very top bracket of footballers.

"We are delighted that he has had such a good World Cup and we are also delighted that he has been reported as saying he wants to stay at Blackburn. That is certainly our understanding and there is no way that we want to sell him."

The Irish winger was the star player in the Ireland side that went out of the tournament to Spain on penalties and he shone throughout the World Cup. He spent much of his time in a central attacking role but also wreaked havoc down the wings.

BBC pundit Alan Hansen has already claimed that in any World XI, Duff would be on the left wing.

As the 23-year-old reflected on the achievements of the side he said: "It has been a brilliant experience, I will never forget it.

"But we can leave here with our heads held high and we can be proud of what we have done. We were all aware of the expectation upon us both at home and abroad and we are very grateful for the support we have had, it has been great."

Duff won one penalty for the Irish in normal time, Juanfran being sucked into a challenge inside the box. Ian Harte missed from the spot but Robbie Keane's success from 12 yards a minute from time set up the drama of the golden goal and extra time.

When it came to the shoot-out, Duff was not one of the first five to step forward, watching in agony from the centre circle as Matt Holland, David Connolly and Kevin Kilbane missed to send Spain through to the quarter-finals.

Duff blossomed last season in the Premiership and was a key figure in the Worthington Cup triumph that guaranteed European football at Ewood Park in the next campaign.

He admitted last week that he wants to play Champions' League football in the future but did stress he did not want to play abroad and added: "I am happy at Blackburn."

There is no doubt that there will be several managers ready to offer him the chance to play at Champions League level but for now, Duff is very much a Rovers player.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Alan Kelly has announced his retirement from international football.

Kelly's decision was revealed by Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, following his side's dramatic World Cup exit to Spain on penalties in Suwon, South Korea yesterday.

The Preston-born stopper, now 33, has not figured in World Cup 2002, where he has been understudy to former Rovers' goalkeeper Shay Given.

He has made 34 appearances for the Republic, the last in a 2-2 friendly with Croatia in August 2001.

Kelly is the third member of the Irish squad to stand down at the close of the World Cup campaign. Skipper Steve Staunton and veteran striker Niall Quinn have also retired from the international scene.