BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has put a proven goalscorer at the top of his wish-list.

The Rovers chief met chairman John Williams yesterday to discuss his transfer budget for the summer, and he said signing a striker with a proven track record was his number one priority before the start of next season.

Hughes has already presented the board with a list of potential targets from both Britain and abroad, and I can confirm that Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is definitely on it.

Now Williams must start the process of sifting through those targets, with the aim being to have a new face on board in time to join the rest of the squad for a pre-season training camp in Germany next month.

"We've identified a number of strikers that we are interested in," Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"Mark feels we've got the strongest squad we have had for a number of years, but he also feels we could still do with an extra striker and he's given me a list of players he is interested in.

"Now between ourselves and our scouting network, that's what we will be looking at over the summer."

Hughes remains a big fan of Bellamy and he would jump at the chance to bring him back to Ewood this summer if Liverpool make him available, and the price is right.

However, talk of Rafa Benitez wanting upwards of a £8 million for a player he bought for £6 million 12 months ago could ultimately price the Welshman out of a Rovers return, which is why Hughes has drawn up a list of other alternatives.

The other challenge facing Hughes and the Rovers board is keeping hold of some of the top players already at the club.

"I've told Mark we don't have to sell anyone this summer and we are determined to hold onto the players we already have," added Williams.