AXED Aussie international John Filan today admitted he was considering his future at Ewood after being dropped by Blackburn boss Graeme Souness at the weekend.
The former Coventry stopper was furious after being overlooked in favour of American international Brad Friedel as Rovers celebrated their 125th anniversary with a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Ewood.
And now the 30-year-old could ask for a move as he contemplates the prospect of becoming Friedel's permanent understudy.
"I'm gutted, basically -- it just feels like I've been stabbed in the back," said Filan.
"Going back seven or eight games ago, the club was struggling, people were talking about his job and stuff like that.
"But results have come good, I've been playing well and he's left me out for no reason.
"So I'm very cut up about it and I've got to say I'm on the edge at the minute.
"I love the club and I love the set-up here, the fans have always been great to me and so have the people who work at the club.
"They've helped me through a couple of bad injuries and various other ups and downs so I've no problem there.
"But when the manager treats me like that, it says to me that he doesn't want me.
"So I've got to sit down in the next couple of weeks and decide what I want to do.
"I don't want to leave the club but, the way I've been treated by the manager, it probably leaves me with no choice." Souness has made it clear from the outset that Friedel was coming in as his new number one.
But he confessed it was a tough decision to drop Filan after the Aussie keeper had played his part in a seven game unbeaten run which has resurrected Rovers' promotion hopes.
That came as little comfort to Filan, however, who needs first team football to boost his international ambitions.
"Things have been going on over the last three weeks which I've never before seen in football," said Filan.
"In the Press there's been things said by the manager.
"Then in training on Friday I was pulled aside and told he was playing Brad.
"I then went to see the manager in his office and he gave me his so-called explanation which I thought was ridiculous.
"So it's very disappointing.
"People expect to be stood by when the team has just gone seven or eight games unbeaten."
As it turned out, however, Friedel turned in a man-of-the-match performance as Rovers survived a late onslaught to chalk up their seventh victory in eight games.
But Souness was just relieved to get the game out of the way.
"It wasn't a vintage performance by us and we had to grind a result out.
"But that's sometimes the case over the course of a season.
"I'm just glad to get this one out of the way, though, because from some of my experiences in football, these occasions can often end in disappointment."
Blackburn Rovers' two Academy teams both enjoyed excellent wins at the weekend.
The Under 19s beat Bolton 1-0 at Brockhall thanks to a goal from Michael Taylor.
And the Under 17s won 2-0 at Sunderland courtesy of a brace from Jonathan Walters.
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