Liverpool are still the favourites to land Blackburn Rovers contract rebel Lucas Neill, whose future could be decided later this week.

West Ham and Newcastle have also been linked with the Aussie defender, but Rafa Benitez could hold the trump card in the shape of Stephen Warnock, who he is prepared to offer in a player exchange.

Rovers have repeatedly stated they will only let Neill go in January if the deal is right for the club', otherwise they are prepared to keep him until the end of the season, when he will then be free to leave for nothing.

Various swap deals have been put on the table and manager Mark Hughes is mulling over several different options with a view to coming up with the best solution for Rovers.