FLOWERS TOLD HE CAN LEAVE FOXES

The 34-year-old shot-stopper has lost his place in the team in the last few weeks to Ian Walker after starting the season in goal for The Foxes.

The England international has been told he is now surplus to requirements after talks with Foxes boss Peter Taylor who has made former Spurs ace Walker his number one keeper and Simon Royce his reserve.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Southampton ace admitted he understood Leciester's decision and that he needs to move if he wants to be playing regular first team football.

"Everything has been dealt with in a fair and amicable way," Flowers told the club's official website. "I'm 34 years old and at this stage of my career I need to have first-team football."

"I fully understand Leicester's situation at the moment with three goalkeepers at the club and the fact that they can't guarantee me a regular first-team place.

"I still firmly believe that I've got a good few years left in me yet and I will now have to wait and see what happens."

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here and it will be a wrench to leave. The manager has been great, my team-mates have been great and the fans have been great.

"It is purely a footballing decision as I want to keep playing for a few years yet and I need to be in the first team for that."

Taylor admitted he found it hard to leave Flowers out of his team and he felt he owed him the chance to move to continue playing.

"It's always hard to leave out any player of the team but when they are as great a goalkeeper and as professional as Tim it makes it even harder.

"I can fully understand Tim's point of view as I am unable to offer him a permanent first-team slot. We shall listen to offers and will not stand in Tim's way if a suitable one comes in."