ROVERS keeper John Filan has slapped in a transfer request after failing to dislodge Brad Friedel as Ewood's undisputed number one.

The former Coventry stopper finally reached the end of his tether earlier this week.

After Filan spent the opening three months of the new Premiership season on the bench, I can exclusively reveal manager Graeme Souness has subsequently agreed to the request, which means the Aussie's details will now be circulated around other clubs.

"John came to us and asked for a transfer and that has been granted," said chief executive John Williams today.

"As far as I'm aware, there are no other clubs involved at the moment so we'll forward his details and then assess anything that comes in after that."

Filan has become increasingly disillusioned with life at Ewood since he lost his place to Friedel 12 months ago.

That prompted him to ask for a move during the second half of last season but he then asked to come off the list in the summer.

However, he has now had another change of heart after Souness recently stated his intention to rotate him and Alan Kelly on the Ewood substitutes' bench