Blackburn Rovers have accepted a transfer request from Republic of Ireland international Alan Kelly.

The former Sheffield United keeper finally handed in an official request yesterday after spending the last two months in limbo at Ewood.

And Rovers will now start the process of circulating his details in a bid to find him another club.

"It's not totally unexpected as Alan would perceive he's now slipped down the pecking order to number three," said chief executive John Williams.

"Graeme had already indicated to us that he would be prepared to let a goalkeeper go when Brad Friedel arrived.

"So we've agreed to circulate his details and see what comes up.

"We've had a couple of loan enquiries about Alan in the past but, as yet, we haven't had any firm offers.

"It's still early days and so we'll have to see what comes up."

Kelly has grown increasingly frustrated due to his lack of first team opportunities since Friedel's arrival.

But it was the prospect of losing his place as the Republic of Ireland's number one which finally forced his hand.

Republic boss Mick McCarthy is still a big admirer of Kelly but recently told the 32-year-old he must be playing regular first team football by February if he wants to keep his place for the next round of World Cup qualifiers.

"I've only played two games since the middle of October, I'm still third choice keeper, and I don't see that changing," said Kelly.

"So I don't think anyone can have a gripe with it.

"There's been a bit of a stalemate over the last few weeks so I just felt the issue had to be brought back to the forefront.

"I just decided the time was right with it being the New Year and the clock ticking down to March and the World Cup qualifiers.

"This is the first time I've ever done anything like this in 15 or 16 years of football.

"But I've no game to look forward to on a Saturday and I'm not even training with the first team at the moment.

"So, from a professional point of view, that's something I'm not comfortable with.

"I don't think the manager can have any complaints with how I've conducted myself.

"But I think I'm better than being third choice at any club so that's why I've decided to take things into my own hands."

Rovers will want a fee for a player who former boss Brian Kidd signed for £675,000 in July 1999.

"Obviously, we want to do the best for Blackburn Rovers without standing in the player's way," said Williams.

Meanwhile, Ewood chief Graeme Souness could make a move for Bolton new-boy Nicky Summerbee in the summer. The former Manchester City winger agreed to join Wanderers from Sunderland yesterday until the end of the season.

But Souness has watched the player and could step in if Rovers got promoted ahead of Wanderers.

"He's someone who Graeme and his scouting staff were looking at some time ago," said Williams.

"But that's about as far as it went at the time -- there was certainly never any discussions with Sunderland."

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce knows his team must get promoted to stand any chance of keeping the 29-year-old.

"He's played in the Premiership and wants to play there again," said Allardyce.

"But as far as I know, he's received no offers from the Premiership and has decided he would like to get there with us.

"There are not many players of his type around in this country any more, I am delighted I've got him here."