Mark Hughes today revealed he would have hung up his boots at the end of this season if Saints had not offered to extend his contract.

The veteran who turned 36 on Monday wants one more year in the Premiership before concentrating full-time on the Welsh manager's job.

This week he agreed a compromise which allows him to take up the 12-month extension to his current deal at The Dell while managing Wales part-time.

But he would not have jeopardised the Welsh job to sign for anyone else and said: "I am happy and settled here and I would not have wanted all the upheaval of moving somewhere else just for one season.

"And I would not have wanted to drop down a division so if Southampton had not wanted to extend my contract then I would have finished playing."

Hughes enjoyed a bright start to the season and manager Dave Jones said: "There is nothing signed and sorted yet but I would be very happy to keep him for another year."

Meanwhile Hughes is still waiting to hear what punishment he will receive from the English FA for a brief cameo role in Sir Alex Ferguson's testimonial while technically suspended.

He said: "I have just had a letter from them confirming they have received my comments. But I don't know any more than that or when it might be dealt with.

"I can't really talk about it but I have enormous respect for Sir Alex and just wanted to pay my own tribute on his big night. I hope it will be viewed that way because I did not gain anything from it."

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