ON-LOAN midfielder Chris Birchall last night revealed he plans to leave Love Street in January as he wants to resurrect his career in England.
The 23-year-old’s loan spell at St Mirren expires at the end of next month and he will then head back to Coventry City to try to force his way back into the first team there.
Birchall insists he has enjoyed his time in Paisley and hopes to help his Buddies climb further up the SPL table before returning down south.
But the Trinidad and Tobago internationalist admits he has had enough of being a ‘loan star’.
Birchall said: “The contract states that I go back to Coventry on January 2, and I don’t think that’s going to change.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here but, no matter how good this loan move might have worked out, I’d always wanted to go back to Coventry in January to see where I stand with the manager there.”
Coventry boss Iain Dowie has taken a keen interest in Birchall since his temporary move north of the border and has kept tabs on his progress for Gus MacPherson’s side, sending his backroom staff up to watch the player on several occasions.
And it may well be that Birchall’s performances in a black and white jersey have persuaded Dowie to reconsider him for a return to top team action with the English Championship side.
Birchall said: “I know the gaffer from Coventry has had his people up to watch me as I’ve been told that by other players and people behind the scenes there.
“That’s pleasing because I don’t feel as if I’ve been loaned out just to be out of the way at Coventry.
“I intend to go back there and push for a first team place. I don’t want to be loaned out again.
“Coming to St Mirren has given me the chance to get fully fit and the lads here have been brilliant. I also like the area but the plan is to go back to Coventry and try to get back into the team there.
“I’ve still got five or six weeks here before the loan is up and I’m sure I’ll enjoy that time.”
Birchall gave his Saints and Coventry gaffers plenty to think about after netting twice for the reserves against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last week.
He played up front for the Saints second string, proving he can be a real goalscoring threat.
Birchall said: “I got the full 90 minutes against Aberdeen and played up front. It was good for me to get another game under my belt and score two goals.
“The St Mirren gaffer knows I can play up front because he spotted me playing in that position for Coventry’s reserves.
“While my favourite position is the right wing, I do like playing up front on occasions because it sometimes gives me more options to get in behind people and use my pace.”