ANY Blackburn supporters intent on booing Lucas Neill when he returns to Ewood Park tomorrow have been warned: Don't waste your breath!

Former Rovers defender Neill was given a hostile reception when he returned to Ewood with West Ham United last season, as fans vented their anger over the way he engineered his move to Upton Park.

However, Rovers chief Mark Hughes and defender Brett Emerton believe the boo-boys will be wasting their time if they try to target him again, because they both insist the Aussie has a thick enough skin to cope with any vitriol aimed in his direction.

Aussie team-mate Emerton said: "I thought the fans were a little bit harsh last time because Lucas was here for many years, and I thought he gave a hundred per cent for the club each and every time he stepped on the pitch.

"So, hopefully, they will give him a warmer welcome this time around.

"But whatever happens, Lucas is a strong character and I don't think he will let it upset him too much anyway."

Neill angered Rovers fans when he rejected a new contract at the start of last season, insisting he wanted to keep his options open in the hope he might secure a move to a bigger' club.

However, those words soon began to ring hollow when the Aussie defender snubbed the chance to sign for Liverpool and opted instead to join West Ham who, at the time, were deeply embroiled in a relegation scrap.

That prompted Rovers fans to dub the former Millwall star 'Lu-cash', after it emerged he moved to London because the Hammers were reportedly offering him £15,000-a-week more than Liverpool were prepared to pay him.

But although Hughes was disappointed by the manner of Neill's departure, he believes he deserves to be treated with respect for the service he gave to the club prior to his acrimonious exit.

"Lucas got a little bit of grief the last time he was here but he's been back once so it's not as if this is going to be his first time back.

"I think it's something he will just get on with. It won't faze Lucas because nothing ever did, so it's a waste of effort really.

"To be fair, both him and Craig Bellamy (another former Rover in the West Ham squad) gave great service during their time at the club.

"But they've moved on and we've moved on, and everybody just gets on with their lives.

"However, sometimes supporters like to vent a little bit of anger and they don't pass up those opportunities very often!"