3AM: WIVES GO HEADER TO HEAD; TV babes' shootout for EastEnders role.

Byline: JESSICA CALLAN, EVA SIMPSON AND CAROLINE HEDLEY

THE biggest transfer in soapland is on. Ex-Footballers' Wives star Susie Amyhas gone into extra time with the show's current babe Caroline Chikeziefor a a coveted role in EastEnders.

The pair both have the same goal - to bag the part of the girlfriend of Albert Square's new gangster Johnny Allen, played by former Bill actor Billy Murray.

Susie, who played fiery Chardonnay Pascoe in the hit ITV1 sex-and-soccer drama, showed off her skills at an audition for the soap's executive producer, Kathleen Hutchison, this month and sources say she was right on target.

Last night a show spokesman confirmed: "Susie has met show execs, as has Caroline. However, we haven't decided who's going to play the character at this stage."

An insider tells us: "The part of Johnny Allen's girlfriend is going to be huge and whoever lands it will be up there with the likes of Jessie Wallace and Michelle Ryan in terms of their profile.

"Both Susie and Caroline are talented actresses and hungry for the part. They would both bring some real glamour to the show and choosing between them is going to be so hard.

"The producers have decided to bring in fresh characters to spice things up and this one will be central to the new storylines.

"Bosses are determined not to have another year like 2004. There's a positive vibe on set and a real feeling that we've turned the corner. Bringing in fresh blood is just part of the whole new regime."

Since she quit Footballers' Wives in 2003, Susie - who is dating actor Max Beesley - has been trying to build a Hollywood career and has found some success in mini-series and films.

Last year she filmed the thriller House Of 9 alongside Dennis Hopper and Kelly Brook. She also acted opposite Andy Garcia in Modigliani, a film about the artist's bitter rivalry with Pablo Picasso.

And she landed the lead role in La Femme Musketeer in which she starred with Gerard Depardieu, John Rhys-Davies and Michael York.

But despite her impressive CV Susie still faces stiff competition from Caroline, 24, who played Elaine Hardy, the Earls Park physio who had a steamy affair with Chardonnay's husband, Kyle Pasco, played by Gary Lucy.

She, too, is making a name for herself in Hollywood.

She recently landed a role alongside Oscar winner Charlize Theron in action movie Aeon Flux and has struck up a friendship with tennis ace Serena Williams' film producer boyfriend Brett Ratner. Her big break came when she appeared in Channel 4 teen drama As If.

Both actresses are likely to learn their fates within the next few weeks.

Denise Van Outen had been in talks about starring in the soap, but it came to nothing and she won a part as a nurse in ITV1's Where The Heart Is.