http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...rs/6045662.stm
Some people will be happy about that, although I think he'd be a good signing for a small fee in Jan or free in the summer.
Rovers offer Neill improved deal
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will try to tempt Lucas Neill to stay by offering the Australia defender an improved deal on his return from international duty.
Neill, 28, has rejected one offer and reports claim he is ready to see out the final year of his Rovers' contract.
Hughes said: "As far as I'm concerned things haven't changed, he's within his rights to keep his options open.
"Sometimes you take comments from great distances with a pinch of salt and I'd rather speak to Lucas face-to-face."
Neill is stalling on a new deal as he is keen to join a bigger club, and he saw a proposed summer move to Liverpool fall through.
Hughes said: "Clearly we want him to stay and we've offered him an improved contract, which he's not had a chance to look at.
"Ideally, we'd like Lucas to be signed up for the next three to four years but that won't happen in the short term.
"We think the right decision would be for him to stay here. We feel we're a good club, we're going places and he can be a major player here.
"If there are other options out there for him, then he may not have that standing at another club, so there's a lot to think over and weigh up.
"He has to make a decision that is right for him and his career."
Neill is adamant that this is his final season at Blackburn, especially after his move to Liverpool collapsed.
He said: "That deal was not in Blackburn's best interests, therefore I didn't have a say and didn't move on.
"But now I'm hopefully in just as good a position when opportunities present themselves in January, or if not then, I'll get a free transfer in June."
Right-back Neill was sent off in the opening game of the season at Portsmouth but has been an ever-present since serving his one-match ban in the subsequent game.
And on his return to the team against Chelsea, Blackburn boss Hughes handed him the captain's armband.
Neill moved to Rovers from Millwall in 2001 and has made more than 200 appearances for the club.
Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel hopes Rovers' recent good run could help persuade Neill to stay.
Friedel told the Lancashire Telegraph: "It's extremely important to keep Lucas. If we can hold on to him it would be great for all of us. He would be hard to replace.
"Lucas has to think of himself and his family, but we are hoping a good run in Europe and the Premier League will do something to make him think about his future."
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will try to tempt Lucas Neill to stay by offering the Australia defender an improved deal on his return from international duty.
Neill, 28, has rejected one offer and reports claim he is ready to see out the final year of his Rovers' contract.
Hughes said: "As far as I'm concerned things haven't changed, he's within his rights to keep his options open.
"Sometimes you take comments from great distances with a pinch of salt and I'd rather speak to Lucas face-to-face."
Neill is stalling on a new deal as he is keen to join a bigger club, and he saw a proposed summer move to Liverpool fall through.
Hughes said: "Clearly we want him to stay and we've offered him an improved contract, which he's not had a chance to look at.
"Ideally, we'd like Lucas to be signed up for the next three to four years but that won't happen in the short term.
"We think the right decision would be for him to stay here. We feel we're a good club, we're going places and he can be a major player here.
"If there are other options out there for him, then he may not have that standing at another club, so there's a lot to think over and weigh up.
"He has to make a decision that is right for him and his career."
Neill is adamant that this is his final season at Blackburn, especially after his move to Liverpool collapsed.
He said: "That deal was not in Blackburn's best interests, therefore I didn't have a say and didn't move on.
"But now I'm hopefully in just as good a position when opportunities present themselves in January, or if not then, I'll get a free transfer in June."
Right-back Neill was sent off in the opening game of the season at Portsmouth but has been an ever-present since serving his one-match ban in the subsequent game.
And on his return to the team against Chelsea, Blackburn boss Hughes handed him the captain's armband.
Neill moved to Rovers from Millwall in 2001 and has made more than 200 appearances for the club.
Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel hopes Rovers' recent good run could help persuade Neill to stay.
Friedel told the Lancashire Telegraph: "It's extremely important to keep Lucas. If we can hold on to him it would be great for all of us. He would be hard to replace.
"Lucas has to think of himself and his family, but we are hoping a good run in Europe and the Premier League will do something to make him think about his future."
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