Having recently secured the services of striker Benni McCarthy until 2011, Rovers manager Hughes was full of praise for the South Africa international and his fellow strike partner Roque Santa Cruz.

McCarthy joined Blackburn from Portuguese champions Porto in June 2006 for £2.5 million and scored 24 times in his first year at Ewood Park.

And Hughes was keen to ensure that he remained part of his long-term plans and was delighted to clinch the deal following the successful conclusion of contract talks held over recent weeks.

"I think it's actually done now which is good news for us," Hughes said. "It was important that I knew that we have got his services for the next two or three years so it's a great signing for us."

Hughes's eye for a good deal was further underlined last summer when he paid just £3.8 million for Santa Cruz and the Blackburn manager believes the acquisition from Bayern Munich has proved to be his shrewdest ever bit of transfer business.

Cruz has rewarded Hughes' faith with 20 goals this term, including one against Manchester United last weekend when he successfully filled a right-sided midfield role in the 1-1 draw.

"For the amount of money that I paid for him it is pound for pound my best deal," Hughes added. "I think we saw his importance to his team and the versatility and the work ethic that he has last week.

"He was given a specific role against United and it was dropped on his toes somewhat but he picked up the baton and ran with it, and I thought he was exceptional on the day.

"He still got in good positions to get strikes on goal, scored his goal and his all-round game was exceptional. I'm sure everyone was aware of Roque and most clubs looked at him before I took the plunge and put my money where my mouth was and I'm delighted that I backed my judgement and brought him here."