Premiership: Fergie gunning for Kelly and Goram

Irish international Alan Kelly and Motherwell's Scottish international Andy Goram are the two front-runners to be snapped up by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who is facing a serious goalkeeping crisis.

Ferguson's main two keepers, Fabien Barthez and Raimond van der Gouw, are both doubtful for crucial upcoming clashes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Liverpool in the Premiership.

Under UEFA rules, clubs are allowed to take a goalkeeper on-loan if they have medical proof that they only have one fit goalkeeper. With Barthez and van der Gouw injured, and Nicky Culkin out on loan to Bristol Rovers, 19-year-old Paul Rachubka is the only fit goalkeeper available to them.

32-year-old Kelly now finds himself third-choice custodian at promotion-chasing Blackburn behind Brad Friedel and John Filan, and fielded a number of calls from Old Trafford last night. A spokesperson for Blackburn Rovers has refused to comment on the mounting speculation.

Meanwhile, United inquired this morning about taking Goram on loan from Motherwell, but with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, a Motherwell spokesperson said: 'We are only prepared to sell. The clubs are discussing what is likely to be a nominal fee."