         }
     }
     
+    //----------------------------------
+    //  hovered
+    //----------------------------------
+    /**
+     *  @private
+     *  storage for the selected property 
+     */    
+    private var _hovered:Boolean = false;
+    
+    /**
+     *  Flag that is set when the mouse is hovered over the item renderer.
+     *
+     *  @default false
+     */    
+    protected function get hovered():Boolean
+    {
+        return _hovered;
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     *  @private
+     */    
+    protected function set hovered(value:Boolean):void
+    {
+        if (value != _hovered)
+        {
+            _hovered = value;
+            setCurrentState(getCurrentRendererState(), playTransitions);
+            if (autoDrawBackground)
+            {
+                redrawRequested = true;
+                super.$invalidateDisplayList();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     //----------------------------------
     //  itemIndex
     //----------------------------------

     */
    override mx_internal function drawBackground():void
    {
        // if handleHighlightBackground is set to true, we always 
        // draw a background and don't need to worry about mouseEnabledWhereTransparent.
        // However, if it's false, then we should just let super.drawBackground()
        // do its job.

    //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    //----------------------------------
    //  autoDrawBackground
    //----------------------------------
    
    /**
