Blackburn have terminated the contract of defender Pascal Chimbonda with immediate effect, with Ipswich at the front of the queue for him.
The versatile 31-year-old has found first-team opportunities increasingly hard to come by after falling down the pecking order at Ewood Park this season.
He does not figure in the long-term plans of Steve Kean, who has signed a new deal to remain as manager until 2013.
A decision has therefore been taken to let Chimbonda start searching for another club straightaway.
The news is sure to alert a host of potential new employers, with Ipswich among those to have been linked with the former Tottenham and Wigan man.
New Town boss Paul Jewell gave the full-back his chance in English football when in charge of Wigan and has been linked with bringing him to Portman Road.
He said: "I've made lots of phone calls and I've spoken to [Blackburn manager] Steve Kean about a couple of things and Pascal's name did come up in conversation, but to see in the paper that we've bid £500,000 is complete nonsense.
"I just asked generally about what would be available. I've made lots of phone calls, as I've had lots of phone calls.
"I asked him what the situation is and he said he'd think about it. Whether Pascal Chimbonda is part of his plans, I don't 100% know. I'll leave that to Steve."
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen backed the Frenchman to get his career back on track elsewhere.
Nelsen said: "I know that he was looking at other options from Blackburn so obviously this now frees him to potentially look at other clubs.
"He is a very good player and he will do a very good job somewhere."
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