Clarets wanted Johnson

Last updated : 03 May 2008 By Tony Scholes
The Carrusca deal fell down at the eleventh hour but he was just one of a number of left wingers manager Owen Coyle tried to bring in to Turf Moor. Chelsea's Scott Sinclair, a player about to play against us for Palace this Sunday, was one and now it has been revealed that Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson was a target.

The 20-year-old Sunderland born player has already had two loan spells away from the Riverside. Last season he spent a month with Leeds and earlier this season he played twelve games for Watford during a two month stint at Vicarage Road. Watford won no fewer than 27 points in those 12 games.

However, the England Under-21 international remained with Middlesbrough and forced his way into the squad on a regular basis. Most of his appearances have been from the bench and he last started a Premier League game in December.

Coyle has admitted that the search goes on for a left winger and he hasn't ruled out another move for Carrusca. He has admitted though that the solution might already be at Turf Moor in Besart Berisha.

The Albanian international is fit after recovering from his cruciate ligament injury but the manager has decided it would not be a good idea to play him in the reserves next week. "He'll be back in pre-season hopefully flying and he'll get the chance," Coyle said.

"I won't risk him in the reserve game next week. To be out for as long as that and to risk him in a competitive game would be naïve at best. There are a couple of pro-am games in the last week of the season and Bes will play in those games with myself, just to give him a bit of confidence rather than playing in a competitive game.

"He's got a terrific attitude, he wants to play, and sometimes you've got to put the reins on him, because he is so desperate to push on. But I've seen bits and pieces of what he's done in training, and he's certainly got something, there's no doubt about that."