Grant's future at Stamford Bridge had once again came under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.

The speculation was sparked by supposed comments from Portsmouth midfielder Hughes who is said to be a close friend of the Israeli from their time together at Portsmouth when Grant was director of football.

Hughes was quoted as saying that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard takeover even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the Barclays Premier League.

But in a statement on Portsmouth's official club website the 28-year-old said he has not been in contact with Grant since he left Fratton Park.

"Today's stories concerning the future of Avram Grant in certain papers is totally misleading," Hughes told the club's wesbite.

"I have not spoken to Avram since he left to join Chelsea and nor have I ever said I have. I have certainly never discussed his future at Chelsea.

"The words reported were a misrepresentation of what I have said and have cause me a great deal of distress, particularly as Avram is someone I have huge respect for.

"I will speak to Avram to put forward my side of the story and to assure him that the words attributed to me were totally misleading."