SHELLSHOCKED Blackburn Rovers today emerged as the frontrunners to snap up Wales defender Chris Coleman - from under the noses of Coventry City!

The Crystal Palace centre-half has revealed he could be ready to link up with the champions and deliver a major snub to Coventry boss Ron Atkinson whose Premiership strugglers thrashed Rovers 5-0 on Saturday.

And today Coleman confirmed that he will meet Rovers boss Ray Harford - even though he's already thrashed out terms with Big Ron.

"At the moment I'm not sure whether Blackburn have actually agreed a fee for me but I know that Ray Harford wants to meet me," Coleman said.

"I have also arranged to have talks with Harry Redknapp at West Ham and I have told Ron Atkinson about the situation.

"I was very impressed with Coventry and they had a fabulous result in beating Blackburn 5-0. That sort of result can change a season.

"I'm very ambitious to make the right move and, once I've seen what all three clubs have to offer, I will then make a decision." Reports over the weekend suggested Rovers had jumped ahead of Coventry in the race to sign Coleman after the player asked Atkinson for 48 hours to chew the move over.

But Atkinson, who sealed the £2 million pound signing of Noel Whelan from Leeds United this morning, said: "If there is a Blackburn Rovers involvement we would think we would be second favourites now.

"Unfortunately we might have given them a reason to be interested after Saturday.

"If we'd have won 1-0 it might have been different. But I still expect to hear from the player in the next 24 hours."

Although nothing is cut and dried, Atkinson clearly thought he had Coleman under wraps before Saturday's debacle.

And Atkinson, indeed, is believed to have been keen for Coleman to sign in time to have faced Rovers.

Rovers, as we have reported, have kept tabs on Coleman, who is the latest star name set to quit Selhurst Park following their relegation from the Premiership. He has been personally watched by Ewood's director of football Kenny Dalglish. Coleman's links with Rovers go back to the Don Mackay era. The former Ewood Park chief was a keen admirer of his skills at Swansea before a £275,000 move to Palace four years ago.

Coventry have offered Coleman a package worth around £5,000-a-week. But Rovers could easily top that if they wanted to capture their man.

Tickets are now on open sale for the Premiership clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Ewood Park on December 30. Tickets for the FA Cup third round tie at Ipswich Town on January 6 will go on sale to season ticket holders from December 18. Adults (£14.00 - Section 1). No concessions; Adults (£11.50 - Sections 2 and 3). Conc £8.50. If any tickets remain they will go on open sale from Tuesday, December 26.

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