CHAIRMAN John Williams hopes Mark Hughes can be left to get on with the task of pushing Blackburn Rovers up the Premier League table after speculation about his immediate future ended with Kevin Keegan's re-appointment as Newcastle manager.

The Rovers boss had been linked strongly with the vacant position at St James' Park ever since Sam Allardyce's dismissal eight days ago.

But the announcement that Keegan will manage the Magpies for a second time was met with relief at Ewood Park.

Although Newcastle never made an official approach for Hughes, constant speculation surrounding the Welshman proved to be an unwelcome distraction.

"We're naturally relieved that it's sorted because our manager was continually linked with the post," said Williams.

"I always felt that he would remain here. He values the continuity that he has and I know he feels we are close to a very good league position at the end of the season.

"We have a strong personal relationship and I never felt that he was likely to go to Newcastle.

"The job's unfinished here and I'm sure that we will continue to make good progress.

"We're having a great season and the future looks good for us."

That sentiment has been echoed by Telegraph Sport columnist and former Newcastle striker Kevin Gallacher.

The former Scotland international, who had a two-year spell at St James' after leaving Rovers in October 1999, said: "It's good for the club and the supporters, who can breathe a massive sigh of relief now that he is there and able to continue his job.

"The longer the speculation goes on, it can play on people's minds, and in the end players start to wonder if he is going or not.

"It can have a snowball effect. When you are doing really well at a club like Blackburn there's always a possibility of getting a move to a club like Newcastle.

"But Newcastle have gone about appointing a new manager in the quickest possible manner.

"It's done now and Rovers have maintained the continuity they need and now Mark can just get on with the job of having a good season."

Rovers legend Simon Garner added: "Blackburn fans all wanted Mark Hughes to stay and were perhaps worried about all the speculation, so it's great news that Kevin Keegan has gone back to Newcastle.

"I don't think the speculation in the papers will have affected Mark too much.

"He's level-headed enough to know that this sort of speculation is part and parcel of football.

"He will have been totally focused on Blackburn Rovers and he will be looking to carry on the good run of form in the league and get them high up in the table.

"He's a very ambitious manager and he will still be looking at a Champions League place.

"Hopefully now, Rovers have left behind their sticky period.

"Okay, we got knocked out of the FA Cup, but that may well work in our favour."