Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has confirmed Brett Emerton is likely to return to Australia.
Emerton is in talks with A-League outfit Sydney FC, though he still has a year to run on his Rovers contract.
After their Carling Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, Kean said: "With Brett there has been interest from his hometown club and we have had a bit of dialogue. If Brett does move it will be a family decision, not a football decision.
"If Brett decides it's something he'd like to explore you've got to give respect for the service he's given the club. If we do lose him it will be very, very sad."
