LUCAS Neill's closest ally at Blackburn Rovers, Zurab Khizanishvili, reckons the Aussie quit the club for West Ham United in January because he had grown restless after six years at Ewood Park.

Neill's decision to turn his back on a lucrative new contract with Blackburn for a double-your-money pay deal with the Hammers provoked an angry response from Rovers fans, with many accusing the 28-year-old of leaving purely for financial reasons.

But Khizanishvili insists Neill's move was not money motivated, he had simply reached a point in his career where he felt like he needed a fresh challenge.

The Georgian international, who is relishing renewing acquaintance with Neill when Blackburn face West Ham at Ewood today, said: "Lucas played for a long time at Blackburn, he was the best player, he was the captain of the team, and everybody liked him.

"But maybe he had reached the point where he didn't want to play for Blackburn anymore.

"He wanted to change his life and everything about his life, like his team and living London - I don't know exactly.

"All I know is he never had a problem with the manager and the players. He just made the decision to leave."

Manager Mark Hughes and the Rovers board tried everything in their power to keep Neill.

They were prepared to make him one of the highest paid players in Rovers' history, and Hughes even gave the former Millwall full-back the captain's armband at one stage earlier this season in a last-ditch attempt to persuade him to stay.

However, Neill seemed determined to quit the club and, after starring at the World Cup for Australia last summer, he made it clear he was prepared to run his contract down at Blackburn in order to get his wish of a move elsewhere.

"It was a real disappointment for me (when Lucas left)," said Khizanishvili.

"I said to him the first time I heard about Liverpool, 'Just stay here. Why do you have to go to Liverpool?'.

"Because I like him and I was comfortable on the pitch with him, I didn't want him to leave. He is a great player.

"He was the captain and everybody listened to him, so when you lose the captain, of course, it is no good for the team."

Given the manner of his departure, a hostile reception no doubt awaits Neill today as he prepares to face Rovers for the first time since his January move.

But Khizanishvili reckons his former team-mate has the strength of character to cope with whatever flak comes his way.

"He is going to get a bit of stick. That is normal - football life," added the Georgian.

"One year you play for Blackburn, the second you change your team.

"I don't know why he chose West Ham. You will have to ask him that."