Friedel nears Ewood exit

Brad Friedel's lengthy stay at Blackburn appears close to an end after Rovers accepted a bid from an undisclosed Premier League club, believed to be Aston Villa.

The American goalkeeper has been a mainstay of the Rovers side since signing from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2000. But the 37-year-old told new manager Paul Ince earlier this month he wanted to leave Ewood Park and he now looks set to get his wish.

Villa have been chasing a goalkeeper throughout the close season.

Manager Martin O'Neill allowed Dane Thomas Sorensen to leave while decided against the permanent signing of Scott Carson, who spent last season on loan at Villa Park from Liverpool.

American Brad Guzan's arrival at the club, meanwhile, has been delayed by a work permit.

Villa have been pursuing Friedel for some time but the deal may yet fall through, with Rovers insisting in a statement on Wednesday night "the transfer is conditional to Rovers having a bid for a goalkeeper at another club accepted".

The identity of that target is unknown, although the Lancastrians have been linked with Tottenham's Paul Robinson recently.

England goalkeeper Robinson lost his place in the Spurs first team last season to Radek Cerny and faces competition at White Hart Lane from new signing Heurelho Gomes.

Friedel has played more than 350 games for Rovers, famously scoring a late equaliser against Charlton in 2004, only for the Addicks to grab the winner moments later.