COVENTRY’S Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall today claimed he is a loan target for Carlisle United.
Birchall, right, who played for T&T in the 2006 World Cup, has been told he can leave the Ricoh Arena after falling out of the first team picture under manager Chris Coleman. And the 24-year-old, when asked about rumours he is being lined up by Carlisle, said: “There is an interest from the club which could be a good thing because I could get more playing time there which is what I need at the moment.
“I haven’t been given the chance in the Coventry first team and that’s not best for me at the moment. I just want to keep playing every week.”
Ward, however, said talk that Birchall was on his way to Brunton Park was premature although he did admit the midfielder was on his radar.
“I have spoken to his agent, but I haven’t spoken to Coventry City,” said Ward, who is in London with the Blues squad ahead of tonight's Carling Cup second round clash with QPR (Loftus Road, 7.45pm).
“Unless I do that, and speak to Chris Coleman, it can be disregarded.
“I’ve had a conversation as I do with many agents about many players. But I haven’t had a conversation with Chris Coleman – it hasn’t really gone that far.
“I know of Chris Birchall but I wouldn’t want to be commenting on players at other clubs.”
Asked whether he may now step up his interest in the former Port Vale player, Ward added: “Not necessarily - not at the moment.”
Birchall made history in 2005 by becoming the first white player to represent Trinidad & Tobago for 60 years. He famously scored the goal against Bahrain that took them to the following year’s World Cup, where he played against England.
The 26-cap schemer qualified through his mother, who was born in Port of Spain. He left Port Vale for Coventry after the World Cup in a £325,000 deal and has made 29 appearances for the Sky Blues.
He spent an injury-hit loan spell with St Mirren last season and was told by Coleman this summer that he was free to find another club, with Walsall also rumoured to be showing interest.
Ward has previously played down talk of more arrivals at Brunton Park before next Monday’s transfer deadline.
But the United manager would still have until November to bring in players on loan. The loan window closes next Monday but then re-opens a week later.
He is a midfielder down with Chris Lumsdon sidelined with a back injury for three months and could move for Birchall to plug that gap in his squad.
But any new recruit would have to battle past Paul Thirlwell, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Grant Smith and Luke Joyce for a central midfield place. Birchall has also frequently played on the right-wing, where Cleveland Taylor and Scott Dobie are Ward’s current options.