Cole close to Rovers exit

Former England striker Andy Cole could be on his way out of Blackburn by the weekend.

Cole was named in the club's squad for a pre-season training camp in Germany - they have their first match tomorrow.

But instead he looks bound for Blackburn's Barclays Premiership rivals Fulham.

It is understood that Cole has now been given permission to talk to the west London side and dialogue is expected between the relevant parties in the next 24 hours.

Cole, 32, has become increasingly disillusioned with life at Ewood Park, where he has a difficult relationship with manager Graeme Souness.

They fell out last season when Blackburn had a poor campaign after qualifying for Europe the previous two years.

That frustration appears to have spilled over in the summer following the arrival of striker Paul Dickov from Leicester.

The smart money is on the Scotland international partnering the emerging Jon Stead up front, even though Cole weighed in with 11 goals last season.

He scored in the final game of the season in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham - and that may well have been his last act for Blackburn.

Cole was drafted in from Manchester United in December 2001 for £8million.

But Souness is fully aware he will recoup little of that money should a deal be secured, as expected, with Fulham.