held up by his club, Walsall.

Coventry City made an offer of 375,000 for the Bermudian striker a month ago and were willing to offer Walsall an additional 75,000 if Lightbourne helped them stay in the Premier Division. They are presently fifth from bottom in the standings. But Walsall, with their sights set on securing a promotion play-off spot in the Second Division, are reported to be holding out for 500,000 for their top scorer.

The latest development is that Coventry manager Gordon Strachan is lining up a 400,000 bid before next month's transfer deadline on March 20.

"Yes, there has been a genuine offer from Coventry City,'' confirmed Lightbourne last night. "I've known about it for over a month and it's been a disappointing four weeks for me.

"I'm obviously delighted about it because this is what Shawn and I have been striving for, to make it to the top.

"The club told me about it when Gordon Strachan called and made the offer. It was on a Friday that they made the offer and they came back on the Monday and made another offer and Walsall turned down both.'' It appears Walsall's recent good run of five straight wins, which lifted them up the tables into play-off contention, worked against Lightbourne's dream of playing in the top division in England. The club were reportedly reluctant to part with their leading scorer during the victory streak. But Lightbourne, Walsall's top scorer for the last three seasons, still believes that with his contract expiring at the end of the season the club will cash in before the deadline rather than wait for an independent tribunal to place a fee on him during the summer.

"They wouldn't get that price through a tribunal,'' Lightbourne, 28, said.

"This is the closest I've been to making a move and today the story has just really come out.'' Lightbourne disclosed that two other Midland clubs, Derby County and Birmingham, had shown interest, while Shawn Goater's manager at Bristol City, Joe Jordan, had also been eyeing the striker. The two teams meet next Tuesday. A move to Coventry would not require Lightbourne to relocate. He lives only about a half hour's drive from Coventry's ground.

"I'm in a position where Walsall have offered me three new contracts but I have refused them,'' said Lightbourne.

"I've known all about Shawn's club. They made an inquiry as well but Walsall turned them down. Shawn's manager has watched me quite a few times and he has made it quite clear he would like us to play together.'' The two Bermudians, who each scored 24 goals last season, moved closer to the 20-goal mark by scoring on the weekend. Goater netted the first goal in Bristol City's 3-0 win over fellow promotion seekers Crewe which lifted them back into third place while Lightbourne scored a late equaliser for Walsall in a 1-1 draw with York to stay in the top 10. Goater has netted 18 goals this season and Lightbourne 15.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- targetted by Premier League Coventry as well as Derby, Birmingham and fellow Bermudian Shawn Goater's club, Bristol City.