Premiership giants sniffing at Flowers

All three clubs are on the look-out for a top class keeper and the England man fits the bill.

United will be without Peter Schmeichel at the end of the season while Villa's Mark Bosnich is free to leave the club under the Bosman ruling.

And Newcastle number two Lionel Perez also wants away from St James's Park.

But Rovers may well want to hang onto Flowers, at least until the end of the current season.

Chief executive John Williams confirmed that the Ewood board of directors were now considering a formal written transfer request from Flowers.

And a decision is likely to be made soon.

The goalkeeper revealed in later editions of last night's Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he had made his feelings known to boss Brian Kidd about his obvious need for Premiership football. Flowers is now fully fit again but has been unable to shake John Filan's grip on the first team keeper's jersey.

He celebrated his 32nd birthday this week and, while he feels he still has a number of years ahead of him, will obviously not be happy to sit on the bench, especially as he has international ambitions to revive.

"I told the manager I don't want to hang around too long as a number two," he said. "We haven't had any stupid rows or anything like that."

As for his fitness, Flowers explained: "I had the original shoulder problem at the back end of last season but I came back too early because I wanted to make the squad for France if I could.

"I managed to do that but probably at my own expense and it didn't take it long to break down this year." Asking for a move could cost Flowers money in the long run but he said: "It's not a financial issue at all.

"And I have no problems with John, as he doesn't have with me. We get on well.

"In fact, there isn't a problem between me and anyone at this football club.

"I think the supporters would also understand the way I feel, especially at my age."

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton was back in the squad this afternoon, co-incidentally against Aston Villa - the team he was facing on Boxing Day when he injured his knee.

It was a tackle from Ugo Ehiogu, himself now injured, which put Sutton out of action but he has bounced back in good time.

"I thought I might be out six weeks but it has healed well," he said.

"I've had a good week's training and I feel 100 per cent fit, apart from my match fitness."

There will be obvious speculation about his international chances, following the departure of Glenn Hoddle.

But Sutton, understandably, does not want to talk about how things might have changed, preferring to concentrate on getting back to his peak in the Premiership with Rovers before harbouring other thoughts.

"I have always wanted to play for my country. But, at the moment, I just want to get back playing, certainly for Blackburn and doing well for them.

"Last year I was doing well, scoring lots of goals and maybe I thought I had a shout at getting in the squad.

"This year I have been injured and I don't feel I am in any position to push myself into the frame because I haven't done anything. "I would rather put myself back in a position of strength before I comment."

Manager Brian Kidd has also made it clear that Jason McAteer's arrival had nothing to do with Tim Sherwood's departure.

"I would like to set the record straight. I wanted Jason here - it is as simple as that," he explained.

"Jack Walker has never said to me it is a case of one in, one out. Mr Walker has given me guidelines on what we want and McAteer coming has nothing to do with Sherwood leaving.

"Tim knows that. He could have signed a contract but, for whatever reason, he chose not to."

Ray Harford is back in football, having joined his long-time friend, and another ex-Ewood boss, Jim Smith at Derby until the end of the season. The move follows Steve McClaren's decision to quit Derby and take over Brian Kidd's former role as assistant to Alex Ferguson.

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