BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena could be set to hand manager Mark Hughes an early Christmas present.

The tough tackling South African captain - nicknamed the Axe - is ready to pen an extension to his contract, keeping him at Ewood Park for another two-and-a-half years.

His current deal runs out in the summer and Hughes has made no secret of his desire to keep him.

And Rovers chairman John Williams revealed negotiations with the 26-year-old, which began several months ago, could be completed within the next two weeks.

He said: "We've been working on this for some time. Mark is very keen to keep him and sees him as a valuable member of the squad. He likes him a lot.

"We're very close to a deal."

Mokoena, who is comfortable playing a defensive midfield role, moved to Ewood Park for £300,000 from Genk, the Belgium club, in January 2005 and has played 63 times for Rovers.

And the player has been capped 37 times for his country, has been an able deputy for Robbie Savage this season, when the Welshman has been sidelined with injury.

He said he was delighted to be given the chance to shine at home and on the continent.

Mokoena said: "We've had a lot of matches this season with Europe, the League Cup and the Premiership.

"But I'm still a young man, I love to run around and play whenever I can."

And he has already expressed a desire to stay working with Hughes and Rovers.

"I am in England today because of him (Hughes) and I've settled really well. The manager has helped me feel at home and he likes my style of play.

"I really enjoy myself here. I want to show my loyalty to the manager and the club."