MARK Hughes pledged his managerial future to Wales and 'rubbished' speculation linking him to the vacant managers job at Southampton.

"I'm obviously flattered, but it isn't a job that I'd give much thought to," said the Welsh boss.

"At the moment I'm looking to be part of an exciting time with Blackburn next season, and then turning my attention to Wales full-time.

"I think it happens with any club that hasn't got a manager, and any player who had any connection with the club gets a mention at some stage. I just think it was my turn to get a mention."

And while the news is good for Wales, Mark Hughes' side have been hit by a double injury blow less than a week before their World Cup qualifier against Poland. Striker Craig Bellamy and Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage are both doubtful for the must win game at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Neither player was with the main squad for their training session yesterday, and it was later revealed that Savage had not yet turned up. "Robbie hasn't arrived yet," said Hughes, speaking after yesterday's training session. "I'm hoping to clarify the situation, and although I won't know if he is going to do so until I speak to him I'm hopeful that he will be here soon."

The absence of the Leicester midfielder had led to speculation that he'd been ordered to stay away by boss Peter Taylor.

Hughes though is understood to have phoned Savage and ordered him to join up with the squad so he could be assessed by the Welsh team doctors. Savage arrived in Cardiff just few hours later.

More worryingly for Wales though is the achilles tendon injury that Bellamy is suffering from.

Although the Coventry striker did some light gym work yesterday, his chances of playing are regarded as slim.

"Craig has some tendonitus in his Achilles, but we need to let our medical people have a look at him," said Wales boss Hughes.

"We'll discuss the injury with him and with Coventry. The treatment he needs is probably rest, but with the situation we're in I'd like him to play.

"But we'll have to see how he is later in the week." And the bad news doesn't stop there for Wales, they are facing the likelihood of losing Preston's Robert Edwards.

Edwards had booked a holiday to Hawaii earlier this year for his entire family and is unable to change the dates.

"We may lose Rob, it's a difficult situation for him," said Hughes. The Wales boss though hinted that he may try and find a way for Edwards to be available for the two crucial World Cup qualifiers, and still go away.

"I spoke to Rob and he was disappointed at maybe missing out. We may be able to do something for him, but we'll look at all avenues and see what's available."