The Turkish Superlig side has brought in a string of new foreign signings in the January transfer window, including Socceroo skipper Lucas Neill, former Everton and Manchester City striker Jo and overnight they confirmed Giovanni Dos Santos from Spurs.

That brings their total number of foreign players to nine - and under Turkish rules, one must be axed to bring them back down under the cap of eight foreigners.

Kewell is the biggest target for the axe after he had a recurrence of his chronic groin injury earlier this month that is likely to see him out for at least five weeks and possibly until April.

His contract at Gala expires at the end of this season anyway and with no extension has yet been agreed - and with his age and large salary, Galatasaray fans fear their favourite 'Daddy Cool' is set to be shown the door.

The club faces a massive fan blacklash if they allow their favourite foreigner to exit. They have set up a website staywithusharry.com to persuade the player to stay at the club, and Twitter is full of fans begging for him not to be culled.

Other likely option for the manager's axe are striker Shabani Nonda - also currently injured - and under-peforming Argentinean goalkeeper Leo Franco.

Rikjaard today said the issue would be cleared up by the weekend - although that would leave little time for the axed player to find a new club with the transfer window closing on January 31.

Just four months out from the World Cup, Kewell may especially struggle to find a new club with his current injury and, according to Gala, currently back in Australia for surgery for the groin tear.

The Dutch manager told the club's website that the club was now focused on its new young players and that would mean the team will have to 'part ways' with one player.

"[We will] decide within two days who that name is," he said.

He added: "I think eight is a good figure for the foreign players limit, because Turkey has to play its own players."