Blackburn Rovers will open talks with Damien Duff this week about a new lucrative contract to keep him at Ewood for the foreseeable future.

The inspirational Irishman has become one of the hottest properties in the Premiership after a string of outstanding performances recently.

And now Ewood chief Graeme Souness looks set to reward the jet-heeled winger with a bumper new pay deal in a bid to ward off interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle.

As things stand, Duff still has a further two years to run on his existing deal which he signed at the start of last season.

But with the World Cup looming large on the horizon, Rovers are keen to tie-up the 23-year-old on a longer term deal.

And they plan to put the wheels in motion later this week in a bid to get everything done and dusted before Duff jets off to Japan and South Korea with the Republic of Ireland early next month.

The Dublin-born winger indicated in an exclusive interview with the Evening Telegraph last month that he would be interested in committing his long-term future to the club above and beyond the two years left on his existing deal.

And he reiterated that stance again on Saturday after his latest star performance brought about Middlesbrough's downfall -- prompting further questions from the national Press in regard to his future.

"Blackburn pay my wages, that's where I live and play my football, and the most important thing to me right now is to help them stay in the Premiership," said Duff.

"It's flattering to be linked with other clubs but if you know me as a person then you'd know that I won't let it get to me, and my family wouldn't let it get to me even if I did.

"I'm simply not bothered about all the speculation.

"The most important important thing in my sights is Blackburn Rovers and that's all I'm worried about."

Duff's blistering form -- both domestically and internationally -- triggered speculation linking him with a £10 million move to Anfield early last week.

But the former Youth Team starlet holds manager Graeme Souness and his backroom staff in the very highest regard.

And that could yet tip the balance when it comes to persuading him to put pen to paper on a bumper new contract.

"I'm enjoying my football right now and I'm confident whenever I get the ball but everything I do on the pitch is down to the encouragement of the coaching staff," added Duff.

"They look after me and they are always on at me to improve my game."

Souness again moved quickly to shoot down stories claiming Duff could be on his way by insisting his star winger is not for sale following Rovers' 3-1 win at Middlesbrough -- a result which moved the club a step nearer Premiership safety.

"Damien Duff is on fire at the moment but he's not for sale -- end of story."