VETERAN striker Mark Hughes today admitted he fears a decision over whether his playing career is coming to an end could soon 'be taken out of his hands' as Graeme Souness begins to formulate his plans for next season.

Welsh boss Hughes will be out of contract at Rovers this summer and, with no new offer currently on the table, he fears he may be forced to call-time on his playing career -- whether he wants to or not.

"So far there has been no offer of a new contract and there's been no offers from other clubs," revealed the 38-year-old hit-man.

Hughes would almost certainly play on for one more year if there was an offer from Rovers -- or any other club for that matter -- despite the fact that influential figures in the FA of Wales are keen for him to pack in playing and concentrate on managing Wales full-time.

But the desire to play on still burns strongly in the former Manchester United hero.

Hughes, whose appearances have been limited this season, showed his value with a star performance in Rovers' Worthington Cup triumph over Spurs in Cardiff in February and believes he could still do a job at the highest level for another season.

"I know physically I can play on for another year, but as yet I don't know where and I won't until the summer," said Hughes.

"Blackburn haven't made me an offer yet, but the season isn't over at the moment and maybe Graeme Souness will do them all in one go after the final game.

"But the question of whether I continue playing could well be taken out of my hands. We haven't discussed the situation so in the end it may not be my decision."

Despite expressing his desire to play on, Hughes has also reaffirmed his commitment to Wales after being linked with the Preston job recently.

Several stories in the national Press claimed Hughes was on a shortlist.

But he insists he never applied for the job, even though Preston also confirmed to the FA of Wales that he was among a number of names they were considering.

"I didn't apply for the job and I wasn't interviewed," said Hughes, who still has two years left to run on his contract with Wales.

"I would like to think the reason my name was linked with the post was a reflection on the type of work myself and my staff are doing with Wales.

"It is no secret that I am ambitious and would one day like to be a club manager, but at the moment there have been improvements in the Wales set-up and I would like to be the one who benefits from those improvements.

"I just want to say that I am enjoying the role I have to play with Wales and that I am really enjoying being an international manager.

"In football when jobs become available, names always get banded about and you have to accept that.

"Maybe because I was playing at nearby Blackburn people put two and two together and made five.

"But working with Wales is very close to my heart and I care about the job, and I don't want anyone else reaping the benefits of what I consider are improvements.

"I have two years left on my contract until after the European finals and I want to see the job through."