inthe know

The 20 year-old defender has been coveted by a number of clubs this summer as the Sky Blues lurch from one disaster to another.

Christie has been a first team regular for the last two seasons following work experience loan spells at non league sides Nuneaton Town and Hinckley United.

Rovers are now keeping tabs on Christie who has come up through the ranks at his home town club and could move before the transfer window closes.

But they might find competition for him is tough with Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy also a long-term admirer.

Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Stoke City also had Christie checked out last season and were linked with him earlier in the summer.

They cannot be ruled out of the race especially if Rovers do show their hands and decide to make a bid to take him to Ewood Park.

Derby are another club who have been watching him. CYRUS Christie could be the subject of an offer crisis-club Coventry cannot refuse from Blackburn Rovers. WATFORD could hijack Wigan Athletic’s bid to take Manchester United starlet Nick Powell on loan for the rest of the season.

Owen Coyle is in pole position to land the 19-year-old England U21 international who scored once in two appearances at Old Trafford last season. READING boss Nigel Adkins is mulling over making a move for Werder Bremen’s Nigerian international front man Joseph Akpala.

Akpala spent last week training with the Royals after Adkins decided he wanted to take a look at the 26-year-old.

He has been told he can leave the German club after just one season following a move from Club Brugge.

Akpala, who has also played for Charleroi, has been in Europe since 2006 but found the net only once in 21 appearances last season.

Adkins has been looking to bolster his attacking options and missed out on Gary Hopper and Charlie Austin who opted for Norwich and Burnley.

Akpala has won nine caps for the Super Eagles and has scored one goal. He was part of the Confederations Cup squad in Brazil earlier this summer.