 Neill joined Blackburn from Millwall in September 2001 |
Defender Lucas Neill is adamant that this is his final season at Blackburn. The 28-year-old Australian, who caught the eye at the World Cup, wants a move to a bigger club in 2007 having missed out on a summer transfer to Liverpool.
Neill 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 Mark Hughes, who is keen to keep Neill at the club, handed him the captain's armband.
 | If we can hold on to him it would be great for all of us |
However, Blackburn's hopes of keeping a player who turned down a new contract offer before the World Cup look to be fading.
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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