Hughes - Neill not a done deal

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is adamant he will not allow Lucas Neill to join West Ham next week until he has a replacement firmly on board.

Neill has spoken with the Hammers with regard to a move to Upton Park, and looks set to join the London club for a deal likely to be in the region of £1.5million.

Hughes has Liverpool's Stephen Warnock lined up to join Blackburn, but as yet neither deal is in place. "We will have to wait and see," said Hughes. "I cannot really tell you one way or the other what is happening on that. We are not going to let Lucas join unless we get a replacement, and nothing as yet has been agreed."

Hughes was forced to do without skipper Neill for Saturday's 3-0 win at Manchester City, a victory that enabled Blackburn to climb back into the top half of the Barclays Premiership table for the first time in three months.

Blackburn barely missed the Australia international, and when asked about his situation, Hughes said: "We allowed Lucas to go down and speak to West Ham, and he had a medical while he was down there.

"As I have always said I want to know we are not going to be weaker as a consequence of Lucas leaving, so exactly as we were."

Asked whether he was surprised Neill was joining a club in the relegation zone, in particular after being linked for so long with Liverpool, Hughes added: "When things are finalised I am sure Lucas will have his say.

"It has been a little bit difficult for him to say his piece, but I am sure he will clarify the situation and his reasons behind the move if he does go to West Ham."