BLACKBURN ROVERS manager Mark Hughes fears contract rebel Lucas Neill is being made a scapegoat for Rovers' poor form in the Premiership.

A small minority of Rovers fans turned on the Australian international at the weekend as the team slumped to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.

The defender's decision to reject a new contract has caused consternation amongst some supporters, and they finally decided to voice their anger during the first half on Saturday by booing the 28-year-old's every touch.

Now Hughes may consider easing the pressure on Neill, who looks certain to quit the club for Liverpool in January, by handing the captaincy to someone else in the squad.

The Rovers boss, who has pleaded with fans to get off the Aussie's back when Rovers face AS Nancy in the UEFA Cup tonight, said: "I didn't hear it at the time, but people have said there were certain individuals who were voicing their opinion about Lucas's situation.

"People have to understand that all he is doing is keeping his options open.

"He's given great service to Blackburn Rovers and if the decision is he leaves in January - and that decision will be mine - then I'll shake his hand and thank him for his service.

"But if I feel it's not the right time for him to go then I'm sure Lucas will sustain the level of performance that will enable him to stay in the team.

"At the moment, he's an easy target, but that's because of his situation, not because of the way he's playing."

Hughes can empathise with Neill's situation because he encountered something similar during his own career when he signalled his intention to leave Manchester United for Barcelona.

"I think you do get that. But Lucas is an easy target," said the Rovers boss.

"We're not getting the results that we hoped at the moment, so Lucas will be looked at more closely.

"But he needs to show me in training and in games that he's worthy of a place, which every player in the squad has to do, and I have to say he's done that."

As for the captaincy, Hughes insists he has no immediate plans to hand the armband to someone else, but he may do if the stick continues.

"If I feel it's an issue then I'll look at it," said the Welshman.

"But at the moment, I don't think it is."

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