Premiership: Flowers uprooted by Foxes

Former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers has been told that he can leave Leicester City on a free transfer.

Thirty-five-year-old Flowers has still just over a year to run of his current contract but his days with the Premiership’s bottom club appear to be numbered.

Flowers, signed from Blackburn by Martin O’Neill three years ago, quickly became a favourite with City fans after a series of impressive performances.

But the player capped 11 times by his country was sidelined through injury during the second half of last season and has had only a bit part to play during the current campaign.

Meanwhile, the rock-bottom club will again be without a number of top players for the visit of Blackburn on Saturday.

Top scorer Jamie Scowcroft, winger Andy Impey and Scotland international Callum Davidson have failed to recover from injury, joining long-term absentees Gerry Taggart, Gary Rowett, Dennis Wise, Darren Eadie, Matt Jones and Alan Rogers on the sidelines.

Striker Tommy Wright, who made his debut last week aged just 17, is also out. Dane Jacob Laursen and striker Trevor Benjamin have been farmed out on loan to Wolves and West Brom, meaning a second appearance for teenager Dean Ashton, who impressed against Leeds last week.

Fellow teenager Matthew Piper will keep his place after emerging as one of the positives from the Foxes’ disastrous season, while midfield battler Robbie Savage - who this week pledged his future to the club even if they are relegated - is likely to recover from a knock picked up in training this week.

Team (from): Walker, Flowers, Sinclair, Elliott, Heath, Ashton, Marshall, Izzet, Savage, Piper, Oakes, Deane, Dickov, Stevenson, Reeves, Delaney.