HE has sold defenders a few dummies in his time now Blackburn Rovers striker Mark Hughes has the chance to buy one of his own -- of himself.

A life-sized model of the legendary striker is up for grabs at auction tomorrow and the Welsh manager has first refusal.

The model, fashioned from fibre-glass with head and hands made from wax, is one of 11 going under the hammer at Sotheby's at an auction of football memorabilia.

The footballers -- who includes former Blackburn Rovers idol Alan Shearer and Burnley's former hero Ian Wright -- were made in 1999 for the opening of an FA Premier League Hall of Fame visitor attraction in London.

More than 30 names of footballing legends were put forward before being whittled down to a 12-man squad by a panel headed by England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst.

The exhibition opened in May but was closed just over a year later -- leaving the players, wearing a special Hall of Fame kit -- surplus to requirements and slapped on the transfer list.

The real-life players have the first option on their copy-counterparts, although only Tottenham's Les Ferdinand has shelled out the asking price -- somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000 -- to take his home. The rest will be bid for tomorrow.

Graham Budd, resident football expert at Sotheby's, said the models, which were made by the man behind the waxwork dummies at Madame Tussauds, and should make for an interesting auction.

He said: "All the players modelled for the dummies and they are very faithful to the original. They are unique and would make good souvenirs for clubs, fans or, of course, the players themselves."

Blackburn Rovers declined to comment, although the Football Museum, at Preston North End's Deepdale ground, which houses some of the greatest treasures from the game, said it would consider housing it but wouldn't bid for it.

Museum curator Mark Bushell said: "We are an independent charity, which means we have to obtain grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund if we are to bid for things."