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Thursday, October 12, 2006

New deal for Neill

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes will make another attempt to keep his captain at Ewood Park when Lucas Neill returns from helping the Socceroos defeat Bahrainin 2-0 in their Asian Cup qualifier.

Hughes said, "Clearly we want him to stay, and we've offered him an improved contract this week, which he's not had a chance to look at, so there's still work to be done."

"Ideally, we would 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 is for him to stay here and be a major player for us. We have to make sure Lucas realises that fact,"

"He is an important part of the team and the squad and he has a lot of qualities, both on and off the field."

"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 football career."

Neill is tipped to join fellow Aussie Harry Kewell at Liverpool after an outstanding World Cup campaign.

posted by Footballer at New deal for Neill

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