ON the eve of Wales' crucial World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland, manager Mark Hughes eased fans' fears he is preparing to quit to take on the vacant Blackburn job.

Hughes has been constantly linked with a move to the Premiership and with his ties with the Lancashire club (he played for them towards the end of his career) it was inevitable that he would be in the frame.

But Hughes said today: "It is just speculation. Whenever a vacancy comes up, inevitably the press link former players and managers. But it is just speculation. I don't think anyone can question my commitment. I have a good job and there are a lot of football people who don't have that so I am very grateful.

"I understand where it comes from because I used to play for them and I am a manager. Speculation surrounds managers all the time and I have had it for the last two and a half years. It is there in the background but nothing has came out of speculation in the past and I am not anticipating anything this time."

Hughes was more keen to talk about the Northern Ireland match tomorrow night and after a disappointing 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan, he knows Wales have to get back on track.

He said: "We need to win the game. It is important if we want to progress that we win all of our home games.

"There is a danger in looking too far ahead. Obviously we are looking forward to going to Old Trafford but we want to be in good shape confidence-wise as well. We've taken a bit of a setback by not getting the three points in Azerbaijan so it is important that we win the next one."

Hughes believes Saturday's draw could have been down to the unknown factor but that will not be a problem when they face Lawrie Sanchez's side tomorrow.

He said: "We had a bit of apprehension in Azerbaijan and maybe that was because the players weren't quite sure what they were up against and it was the first game.

"I don't think we will have that on Wednesday because we are up against people we know and have played against many times before.

"It will be like a cup-tie and they are combative but can play a bit as well." Hughes is set to bring back Ben Thatcher who has shrugged off a hamstring injury and a throat infection and was described as "in the frame" for a start.

He is also considering John Oster, who came off the bench and emerged from Baku as one of the few plus points.