BLACKBURN Rovers are looking to take Aberdeen keeper Michael Watt on a month's loan in time for him to figure in the squad against Derby County at Ewood on Saturday.
Aberdonian Watt is very experienced and should prove ideal cover for John Filan, who steps up into the gap left by the injury to Tim Flowers.
The 26-year-old is out of favour at Pittodrie where manager Roy Aitken said today that joining Rovers for a month would be a good move for him.
Ewood boss Roy Hodgson has been searching for experienced cover since Flowers had to undergo groin surgery during the pre-season build-up.
He only has young Anthony Williams available as back-up and he has no senior experience at all.
That sparked off Hodgson's search and it could be concluded in the next couple of days.
Former Sheffield Wednesday keeper Lance Key was given a week's trial and played part of Rovers' friendly at Aberdeen last week.
But it seems the club have decided he is not the answer.
Watt, a former Scottish under-21 international, was Aberdeen's first-choice keeper when they won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1995-96 and he also figured in 30 of their 36 Premier League games that season.
Last season, he played only nine first team games, with Nicky Walker and Derek Stillie sharing the goalkeeping duties with him.
Stillie played for the Dons in last week's friendly, while they have also signed veteran Jim Leighton.
Goalkeepers were also the main item on the agenda at Wolves yesterday when Rovers said they were "very satisfied" with the outcome of two transfer tribunals. Represented by chairman Robert Coar, chief executive John Williams and secretary Tom Finn, Rovers were ordered to pay Coventry £700,000 for Filan and will receive £1.5 million from Newcastle for Shay Given. Newcastle, who had suggested they might try to get Given for nothing, backed down and will pay the fee set by the tribunal.
Coventry said they were "disappointed" with Filan's fee as they felt the Australian international was worth more.
Another transfer that is pending, Graham Fenton's £1 million move to West Bromwich Albion, was set to take another step forward today, with the player due in the Midlands for medicals.
Talks over personal terms are expected to take place tomorrow.
But the fact that the player is having the medicals suggests West Brom feel they can reach agreement with him.
The clubs have already settled the fee.
Meanwhile, Hodgson is not too happy about the fact that three of his new players have been called up for international duty this week.
Martin Dahlin and Anders Andersson are with Sweden and Stephane Henchoz has linked up with Switzerland.
"I would rather have had all our players here this week and their absence will affect our preparations. But we have to release them," said the manager, who has asked for the players only to be involved in half a game if possible with Saturday's kick-off in mind.
Sweden are at home to Lithuania, while Switzerland visit Slovakia.
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