BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will snub any approach from Manchester City after being touted as the leading candidate to replace Stuart Pearce.

Several sources in the media claim that Hughes has jumped to the top of City's hit-list following the collapse of a proposed £120 million takeover involving the ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Although no official approach has yet been made to Rovers for Hughes, it is thought the Welshman is now the preferred choice of the City board, who are coming under increasing pressure to appoint a new manager in the wake of the takeover fiasco.

However, Lancashire Telegraph Sport understands that Hughes has no interest in the vacant post at Eastlands, and he remains fully committed to the challenge of making Rovers a top-six force in the Premiership next season.

A source close to the Rovers boss said: "Mark is happy where he is and he's fully focused on the job he has at Blackburn."

After guiding the club to two successive top-10 Premiership finishes, Hughes is convinced Rovers have the capability to make a real impact in the Premier League next season, and he is also excited by the prospect of a possible cash injection from new owners, which may allow him to be more competitive in the transfer market.

Contrast that to what is happening at City, a club with an uncertain financial future and a depleted squad following the departures of their two best players, Sylvain Distin and Joey Barton, and it is easy to see why a switch to Eastlands holds little appeal for the former Manchester United favourite.