WEST Ham captain Lucas Neill could leave the club in the summer, according to a report in the Australian press.

The Melbourne Herald Sun speculated that the 30-year-old could be sold as Irons chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson seeks to trim the club's massive wage bill.

Neill joined the Hammers from Blackburn Rovers for around £1.5million in January 2007 and went on to play an influential role in Alan Curbishley's side's escape from relegation.

Handed the captain's armband following the departure of Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa, Neill has struggled to re-capture the same level of form this season.

Now it appears that the East Enders may be willing to listen to offers for the defender, whose weekly salary is around £65,000-a-week.

The Australia international had wanted to sign a new contract earlier this season, but talks were put on hold and no new deal has been completed.

Neill may not be the only high-earner on the way out of Upton Park, however, as reports also suggest that Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg could be sold for the same reason.

Two players who look certain to be on their way are Senegal Henri Camara, whose season-long loan from Wigan Athletic ends next month, and Peru midfielder Nobby Solano, who is out of contract.

Club officials told a midweek fans' forum that the Irons want to trim their first team squad down from 33 to around 24 senior professionals.

Next season, managers will be allowed to name seven substitutes for Premier League games, and supporters were told the summer sales would also improve morale among the squad as players would feature more often in the matchday 18.

Ironically, both Neill and Ljungberg are set to return from injury for the Hammers Premier League clash with Derby County tomorrow.