Cumbrian reports claim the Blues and Birmingham City are eyeing Carlisle keeper Keiren Westwood. The 23-year-old has impressed hugely this season, keeping 19 clean sheets for the League One club and putting in a man of the match display in the recent play-off semi-final against Leeds United.

Westwood, who has a year left on his Carlisle contract, has also attracted the attention of new Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni and is currently away with his squad along with Town's Owen Garvan and Alex Bruce.

Cumbrians boss John Ward says his club are yet to receive any firm interest in the Manchester-born keeper: "Nobody has been on the phone to ask me about him, although it wouldn't surprise me if they did.

"But I think the club will show to Keiren that we want him to stay. All positions are important, but when you look at top clubs they all place an emphasis on the best goalkeeper they can get.

"We have one of the best in the league we play in and he can become a top class keeper. If he is going to be a number two to another keeper, he has to figure out if he would benefit more from another 12 months at Carlisle.

"If other clubs are interested, we will deal with it if and when it happens, but I want to keep him longer. We've offered him an improved and extended contract and it would be a boost to everyone if he stayed.”

Westwood, 6ft 1in tall, started his career at Manchester City but failed to make a senior appearance while at Eastlands or during a 2003/04 loan spell at Oldham. The following summer he joined Carlisle where he has been their first choice for the last three seasons.

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