BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has accepted a transfer request from keeper John Filan.

Rovers have agreed to circulate Filan's details after the Australian international handed in an official request on the eve of tonight's FA Cup fourth round replay with Derby.

But Souness today insisted he will not be prepared to let both Filan AND Alan Kelly walk away from Ewood as Rovers prepare to step up their bid for promotion.

"I'm disappointed," said Souness. John is a good goalkeeper and currently in our squad but I understand his frustration at not being in the team.

"I've told him we will not stand in his way but, with Alan Kelly in a similar situation, we can only allow one to leave."

Filan and Kelly have both become increasingly disillusioned by their lack of first team opportunities since the arrival of Brad Friedel on a free transfer from Liverpool in November.

Kelly was the first to hand in an official request after being told by Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy that he needed to find regular first team football.

And now former Coventry stopper Filan has reluctantly decided to follow suit after weeks of soul-searching.

"Basically, I'm at a time and age where I want to be playing first team football," said Filan.

"My opportunities are going to be limited at Blackburn and I just want to give myself the best chance of getting a game.

"When the manager changed things around I didn't just want to act on some gut reaction without thinking about it.

"So, since then, I've sat around and thought about it and weighed everything up because I had to make sure it was the right thing to do.

"Every pro wants to play first team football and, if you're not playing, it's a bit of a hard road."

Rovers will now listen to offers for both keepers and the first to attract a suitable bid will be allowed to leave.

But Souness cannot afford to let both go -- at least until the summer -- as fourth choice stopper Alan Miller is currently recovering from injury.

Meanwhile, Rovers hit the FA Cup trail tonight as they travel to Pride Park for a fourth round replay.

And, with a fifth round tie away to Bolton awaiting the winners, manager Graeme Souness is desperate to take another step on the road to Cardiff.

"I'd love to play Bolton in the next round for two reasons. One, we'd be in the next round of the cup after beating Derby.

"And, two, we'd be playing Bolton," said Souness.

"But this is another difficult game. They'll think they've done the hard part getting us back there. So we've got to be ready for what they throw at us.

"I just want us to play our football the way we've been playing it recently and, if we do that, together with a bit of luck, we have a chance against anyone.

"They must be the favourites now. They are a Premier League team playing at home against a club from the First Division.

"But this will be a slightly different type of game from the one at Ewood.

"They've got to come out and play so we probably won't see as much of the ball.

"But that could suit us because they won't have nine men behind the ball all the time."

Nathan Blake has not been included in the squad after damaging some fibres in his thigh.

And Stig Bjornebye is not fit to return after failing to shake off a knee injury.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Taylor, Berg, Flitcroft, Dunn, McAteer, Duff, Mahon, Keller, Hignett, Jansen, Hughes, Bent, Short, Filan.

Derby from: Oakes, Riggott, Carbonari, West, O'Neil, Eranio, Burley, Murray, Boertien, Burton, Christie, Grant, Higginbotham, Morris, Martin, Bragstad, Valakari.

Tonight's reserve game with Manchester City at Morecambe has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.