TIM Flowers is bracing himself for an unsettled new season start at Ewood Park.

The England keeper has had little joy in his quest to find a new club after John Filan claimed the number one spot last season under new boss Brian Kidd.

Blackburn Rovers initially blocked his transfer request but have since made it clear they will not stand in Flowers' way in his bid to play first team football - if a suitable offer was made.

That would be likely to be in the region of £1.5 million but no such bid has arrived.

Flowers and his Professional Footballers' Association agent, Vince O'Keefe, had expected Aston Villa to move for Flowers following the departure of Mark Bosnich to Manchester United

But Villa boss John Gregory instead opted for former Liverpool man David James.

And, with Celtic signing Dmitri Kharine as number two to Jonathan Gould, the choices for Flowers are looking limited. Sheffield Wednesday continue to be linked but Danny Wilson is more likely to be concentrating his resources on other areas of his team with Pavel Srnicek established as his number one.

O'Keefe said: "All the signs were that he would go to Aston Villa but they took David James, who has three years less experience than Tim.

"There has been a slight interest in him, but it is a question of timing.

"He is a total professional and workaholic and cannot believe how his fortunes have turned out at Blackburn.

"If things aren't worked out before pre-season he will have to go back for pre-season.

"But he is the consummate professional and he would work his socks off."

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