Birmingham and Hull eye deal to sign Carlton Cole to boost fight against relegation
Former England striker currently training with AFC Wimbledon but Championship strugglers may snatch him from the League One club's grasp with deal until the end of the season
BIRMINGHAM and Hull have both registered an interest in signing Carlton Cole to help boost the Championship survival hopes.
Cole, 34, is a free agent and is on the verge of agreeing a deal with AFC Wimbledon after spending the past fortnight training with the League One club.
But Hull and Birmingham have both taken interest now the former West Ham and Chelsea player has proven his fitness levels after scoring within five minutes of an under-23 game for Wimbeldon last week.
Both clubs know they are embroiled in a desperate battle to ensure they are not relegated down to League One.
And neither have huge budgets to bring in fresh talent to bolster their squads for the remaining four months of the season.
So the chance to bring a player with proven ability and experience in the Championship and Premier League is one that is interesting both managers.
Steve Cotterill has at least steadied the ship at St Andrews since succeeding Harry Redknapp in charge of the club.
They have taken seven points from their last four league matches but they still find themselves slumped second from bottom of the division.
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And adding former England international Cole to his squad would at least give him another attacking option and a player who could lead the line when needed.
Hull are plunging further into trouble on the back of a run of seven games without a win in the Championship.
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The appointment of Nigel Adkins has not brought about the upturn in form that had been hoped for since he took over from Leonid Slutsky.
And goalscoring has become a major problem for the Tigers, with the side having hit the back of the net just three times in their last seven matches in the Championship.
Cole has made a good impression on AFC Wimbledon boss since Neal Ardley invited him to train with the club over the new year.
They are now looking at a way to sign the striker until the end of the season, with the club themselves involved in their own relegation battle in League One.
But should Birmingham or Hull follow up their interest with a firm offer it would be hard to stop him getting a deal with a Championship side.