Friday Mar 16 2007 13:55
Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes believes the departure of Lucas Neill in the January transfer window allowed him to create a stronger squad.
The Australia international will make his first return to Ewood Park with new club West ham on Saturday and Hughes claims the side his former skipper left behind is now a much stronger unit.
Hughes claims he bears no grudge towards Neill - who had rejected numerous approaches to sign a new contract at Blackburn - but the departure of the defender allowed the Rovers chief to draft in some fresh faces in January.
Hughes landed full-back Stephen Warnock from Liverpool and central defender Christopher Samba on a free transfer from Hertha Berlin.
David Dunn also returned to his hometown club from Birmingham City.
"I feel we are stronger now than we were before January," claimed Hughes.
"Because of the situation we were able to get Stephen in and I have been delighted with his contribution - and we got Chris at the same time.
"Lucas made the decision for his own reasons and he felt the decision to go to West ham was right for him at the time.
"We wanted him to stay, but we knew his options were open and there was always a possibility he would go."
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