Sky Blues loan Caldwell but fail for Kirkland

By Paul Holmes
June 14 2002

Coventry have signed Newcastle's Gary Caldwell on loan but fail in a bid for Chris Kirkland.

Caldwell joins Coventry on a season-long-loan becomes Gary McAllister's first signing as manager of the Sky Blues.

The 20-year-old Scottish international will probably replace Gary Breen in the centre of the defence as McAllister gears up for his first season in charge.

However this was not the only attempt for a loan player that McAllister made as he tried to bring Chris Kirkland back to Highfield Road from Liverpool. The highly rated keeper left Coventry last summer to join the Anfield club but has only made 4 apparances since and McAllister saw his chance. But Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier rates Kirkland highly and wants him to learn from Poland international Jerzy Dudek rather than go out on loan.

With Magnus Hedman set to leave the Midlands club McAllister must look elsewhere.