Town boss in McCarthy fan club

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), May 16, 2009

Byline: DOUG THOMSON

SCOTTISH wonderkid James McCarthy is on Town's radar - but Lee Clark faces exceptionally stiff competition for the 18-year-old Hamilton midfielder.

Accies' Scottish Premier League rivals Celtic lead the chase for the Republic of Ireland Under 21 ace, pictured left..

Clark was involved in trying to bring McCarthy to Newcastle when he was reserve coach at St James' Park, and has kept close tabs on the Glaswegian who made his senior debut at 15..

Newcastle are among a posse of Premier League clubs said to be in the current hunt, with Portsmouth this week tabling an unsuccessful pounds 500,000 bid.

It seems Clark may have already registered his interest with Hamilton, whose squad includes former Town striker Lucas Akins..

"I've been personally aware of James McCarthy for some time and, as a club, we're constantly monitoring players and watching matches, and not only in England," said Clark.

Town's manager, meanwhile, has quashed reports he is tracking Lincoln's Romanian striker Adrian Patulea..