GRAEME Souness today paid a glowing tribute to Brad Friedel by hailing the Ewood number one as his greatest ever signing as a manager.

Friedel's stunning form for Rovers this season was rewarded earlier this week when the United States international was named in the PFA's Premiership team of the year.

Today, the 31-year-old was also due to be named Rovers' player of the year ahead of this afternoon's game with West Brom.

And he's still on course to complete an amazing hat-trick of personal accolades by bagging the Barclaycard Golden Glove award early next week.

Souness is certainly in no doubt as to Friedel's importance after hailing his contribution as 'priceless' this season.

And the Rovers boss has even gone as far as to say that the popular American has now displaced Ray Wilkins as his best ever signing.

"Brad has to be the best value for money signing I have ever made," said Souness.

"I always used to say Ray Wilkins when I signed him for Glasgow Rangers for £200,000.

"He had a couple of great years, but given the fact I paid nothing for Brad, he shades it!

"He's got to be worth 15 points a season to us and that makes him priceless.

"Don't take my word for it -- even the players voted him the best goalkeeper, which is always nice.

"What price do you put on someone who can keep you in the Premiership for the next four years of his contract?

Friedel currently has 14 clean sheets to his name in the Premiership, which is more than any other keeper.

That helped him to pip Chelsea's Carlo Cudicini for a place in the PFA team and now he has the chance to do the double over his Stamford Bridge rival after both have been shortlisted for the Golden Glove award.

Southampton's Antti Niemi, Russell Hoult of West Brom, Newcastle United's Shay Given and Everton's Richard Wright are the other names in the frame.

Blackburn fans still have time to register their vote for the popular American by clicking on itv.com/football or voting via ITV football show On The Ball.

Meanwhile, Souness will sit down with Henning Berg next week to discuss the Norwegian's future.

As things stand, today's game against West Brom was due to be Berg's last competitive fixture at Ewood before he retires in the summer.

However, Souness could yet make a U-turn and decide to offer the former Manchester United star one more season.