BLACKBURN Rovers have rejected a transfer request from out-of-favour defender John Curtis.

The former Manchester United full-back recently indicated his desire to leave the club after becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities.

However, though Rovers boss Graeme Souness has initially knocked back the request, he has promised to reassess Curtis's situation in the summer -- a decision which could alert Wolves chief Dave Jones.

"John put in a request which we have rejected because we felt we needed him during the run-in," said chief executive John Williams today.

"But we have promised to review the situation again in the summer once our Premiership fate is decided."

Curtis -- a £1.5 million signing from United two years ago -- made a huge impact in his debut season, playing in all 46 games of Rovers' successful First Division promotion campaign.

This season, however, he has made just a handful of appearances in the Premiership after losing his place to Lucas Neill.

Ironically, he could actually be handed a recall for Rovers' trip to Everton on Sunday after Neill was ruled out yesterday with concussion.

But that's unlikely to make any difference in the overall scheme of things and Wolves now look the favourites for his signature if he's given permission to leave in the summer.