BLACKBURN Rovers boss Mark Hughes has revealed he would love a crack at the England job - but only after he has achieved everything he wants to as a club manager.

Hughes, who yesterday agreed a brand new three-year contract with Rovers, has been touted by some pundits as a possible successor to Steve McClaren.

But, while the former Wales chief admits he does have a desire to manage at international level again, he insists that is something he would only consider towards the end of his career.

Right now, Hughes' immediate focus is centred on turning Rovers into a leading Premier League force instead, following three successful years in the Ewood Park hot-seat.

As one of the best young British managers in the game, it's hardly surprising to see Hughes' name has been linked with the England vacancy in the wake of McClaren's dismissal on Thursday morning.

One bookmaker quoted him as a 14/1 outsider for the post yesterday, as a string of high-profile candidates, including Martin O'Neill and Jose Mourinho, began ruling themselves out.

Now Hughes is the latest top-flight boss to distance himself from what many consider to be the impossible job', insisting instead he is excited by the challenge he faces at Rovers.

But having succeeded once as an international manager, don't rule out the possibility of Hughes becoming England's saviour at some point in the future.

"A number of names have been thrown out there, but it's not a job that interests me at the moment," said Hughes.

"I would like to try my hand at international management again, but maybe when I'm a bit greyer than I am now.

"That's something for later in my managerial career - but not now.

"I've just signed a new contract so that would suggest where my immediate future lies."

Having guided Wales to the brink of qualification for the 2004 European Championships, only to see his team falter at the final hurdle when they lost to Russia in a play-off, Hughes could relate to what McClaren and England went through on Wednesday night.

"I can sympathise with the problems that Steve McClaren has had because I've been through that," said Hughes, speaking ahead of Rovers' game with Fulham tomorrow.

"It's devastating when you don't qualify for a major competition after getting so close, but you bounce back and become stronger and a better manager for it.

"I just felt the England team had too much anxiety and too much apprehension about the consequences of losing the game (against Croatia) and, because of that, they weren't able to produce any kind of performance.

"It was painful to watch because of that anxiety and apprehension."

As the Football Association start the search for McClaren's successor, Hughes has urged Brian Barwick and his colleagues at Soho Square to go for an experienced candidate, rather than a rookie like Alan Shearer, even though he had no prior managerial experience himself when he was put in charge of Wales.

He added: "I have always said that international management was a fantastic education and it enabled me to become a better manager.

"However, it was done with less media spotlight and for the most part, I was able to just get on with the job - I didn't have to worry about things that drag you down.

"Whether or not you could give it to a rookie manager such as Alan (Shearer), I'm not sure - it would be very, very difficult.

"But for a learning process, it would be fantastic. I've said it before, I'd recommend it to anyone who is given the opportunity.

"But the England job is a bit more difficult than most."