World Cup star could join Albion

7:30am Tuesday 6th January 2009

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Albion boss Micky Adams is poised to sign Chris Birchall for the second time in three years – if he impresses in training this week.

The Trinidad and Tobago international midfielder began a week’s trial with the Seagulls yesterday after leaving Coventry and snubbing Carlisle.

Adams bought Birchall from Port Vale for £325,000 in August 2006 when he was Coventry manager.

The 24-year-old is now a free agent and Adams said: “I know what he is capable of. He is a hard-working midfielder who can play wide or centrally.

“He hasn’t played for Coventry this season and we are having a look at him to see if we fancy him and he fancies us.”

Birchall quit Carlisle last week after two substitute appearances during a month’s loan.

The Cumbrians expected to tie up a permanent deal after agreeing with Coventry to take over his contract for the rest of the season but Birchall told them he has received a lucrative offer from San Jose Earthquakes.

He is now weighting up a choice between Albion and moving to the States.

“It’s a massive decision for me to make as far as my career goes and it's one which I'll have to think very carefully about,” Birchall said.

“I'm in a far better position now than I was at Coventry because both these new offers can be beneficial for me but I’ve got to take a good look along with my agent and see which is the better one.

"”The fact that going to the US will mean I’m closer to Trinidad is definitely something that I will think about and fitness wise I’m not worried because I will definitely be active in England before the MLS season starts.

“But my old manager Micky Adams wants me and if I do well enough then there’s the possibility of them putting a decent deal on the table.”

Adams took Stafford-born Birchall to Coventry after he became the first white player to represent Trinidad and Tobago in 60 years and featured for them in the 2006 World Cup.

He qualifies to play for them because his mother was born in Port of Spain.

Birchall trained indoors with the rest of the Albion squad yesterday, as the pitches at Falmer were frozen.

He could have a run-out in the reserves in tonight's Sussex Senior Cup quarter-final at Horsham YMCA (7.45), although Albion have delayed naming a team in the expectation that the match will be frozen off.

What do you think? Should Albion sign Birchall?