ALAN Kelly today admitted he fears for his Ewood future in the wake of Brad Friedel's proposed arrival from Liverpool.

Rovers were given the go-ahead to make a move Friedel yesterday after the Department of Employment granted the American a work permit.

And Republic of Ireland international Kelly now feels the writing could be on the wall after Souness made it clear the United States stopper will become his new number one.

"Three weeks ago I was playing against Portugal -- Luis Figo and all -- in the Stadium Of Light," said Kelly.

"I am the Irish number one and the current international player of the year.

"So you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out how detrimental this situation is for me.

"The manager lives and dies by his decisions -- I may not like that but I have to respect it.

"Competition is something I've never been frightened of but not knowing from one week to the next whether I'll be on the bench or in the stand is a situation of grave concern.

"It's not good for me or indeed good business for Blackburn Rovers."

Friedel's arrival looks certain to spell the end for at least one of Rovers existing keepers.

But Souness felt the chance to snap up the American was simply too good to miss.

"There's nothing to choose between either John Filan or Alan Kelly," said Souness. "But it's obvious that four keepers is too many to have so one of them could go -- but certainly not both.

"It's still conceiveable, however, that they could both decide to stay and fight for their place.

"But I'm signing Brad and I see him as my number one.

"I can sympathise with how they probably feel because they haven't done much wrong.

"But, as a manager, I am paid to make decisions.

"And I just felt this was an opportunity to strengthen the goalkeeping department without it costing the club financially."

Friedel should become a Rovers player by the end of the weekend and could go straight into the squad for Wednesday night's trip to Barnsley.

And star striker Matt Jansen may also be back in time for that clash at Oakwell after narrowly missing out on a place in the squad for the visit of Stockport today.

Meanwhile, Rovers defender Stig Inge Bjornebye has urged his international team-mates to put country before bank balance in a bid to safeguard the future of Norwegian football.

Bjornebye and Liverpool defender Vegard Heggem have vowed to play for nothing at international level, provided the money saved is ploughed into developing the nation's younger players.

"We came into a situation where the Norwegian Football Federation was making a lot of money on the back of the good results of the team," said Bjornebye. "But that situation has changed."

"The NFF is now in need of money and the players don't need it as much."