Andrew Whing wants to be re-united at Albion with Chris Birchall. Whing, believes the Seagulls would benefit from signing his former Coventry team-mate.
Fullback Whing said: “He would definitely improve the team. It would be great for competition. Bradley (Johnson) has gone back to Leeds and Kevin Thornton to Coventry and they both played centre midfield.
“It would be good if Birchy did get a short-term contract or whatever. He would fit right in.
“He’s a good player, very good technically as well with a good range of passing.
“He was more a central midfielder when he came to Coventry from Port Vale but he played quite a few games wide on the right, just in front of me.
“He was quite direct when he played there, always looking to beat his man. He was very effective and could score goals but I think he prefers centre midfield.”
Birchall’s 2006 World Cup appearance for Trinidad and Tobago against England has already been a topic of conversation in the Albion dressing room.
“Virgs (Adam Virgo) has been giving him a bit of stick about playing in the World Cup,” Whing said. “When Chris was at Coventry he used to go on about it all the time, playing against Gerrard!
“It is something to cherish, playing in a World Cup final against England, and he is a great lad. He has fitted in very well.”
Birchall’s fellow trialist, Paul Wotton, is back in contention at Southampton. He appeared as a late substitute in their victory at Barnsley on Saturday.
Birchall is accompanied in the reserves tonight by Kerry Mayo, Dean Cox, Doug Loft and Jake Robinson. The rest of the team is made up of scholars.