Hughes defiant on Neill future

Mark Hughes has confirmed Lucas Neill will be allowed to leave Blackburn next month only if the deal is "right" for Rovers.

Neill is out of contract in the summer and Liverpool and Spanish giants Barcelona are among a cluster of clubs believed to be keen to sign the 28-year-old.

But Hughes said: "The situation with Lucas has been well documented. Lucas may go if we can do a deal that will allow Blackburn to remain strong. If it is not right for us, he will stay."

Although the odds appear to be stacked against Neill remaining at Rovers beyond the summer, Hughes has not entirely given up hope of persuading the Sydney-born player to stay.

"Things change very quickly in football," he said.

"Who is to say Lucas won't still be here in the summer and if that situation arises, I will be doing my best to convince him to stay."

Hughes is realistic enough about the situation to be looking at options and declared himself "satisfied" with Ukrainian defender Andriy Nesmachniy, who has just completed a two-week trial.