Kinsella keeps eye on Charlton 'battle'

Charlton captain Mark Kinsella today warned chairman Richard Murray he faces a full-time battle to keep manager Alan Curbishley at the club.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder believes Curbishley is so good he will be a target for any ambitious English club who have a managerial vacancy.

He was top of West Ham's wanted list when Harry Redknapp left last month but Upton Park coach Glenn Roeder now appears to be the favourite after Murray said he would do everything he could to keep Curbishley.

But Kinsella, who played in the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Portugal at Lansdowne Road and should win another cap against Estonia on Wednesday, thinks it is a sign of things to come.

He said: "I am sure the chairman does not want to lose Curbishley but he knows he's for a battle to keep him because there are so many clubs that would want him.

"He is a manager who is well sought after and will be linked with every club who are looking for a manager.

"Curbishley has been at Charlton for 10 years and he has got us into the Premiership twice playing attractive football.

"Players are coming to the club because of him and the way we play and he is very important to the whole setup. We have all signed contracts because of him and I would be very disappointed if he went.

"West Ham have not named a new manager and Curbishley could still be in their sights but he has said he's not going. I am not too worried and a lot of people have said it would be a sideways step to go there.

"I'm confident he will be staying at The Valley for a couple of years yet."

Murray wants to tie his manager down to a new long-term contract even though Curbishley still has two years left on his existing deal. They are due to negotiate details in the next couple of weeks now the manager has returned from a summer break.

Kinsella believes this is great news for the club and their players who achieved Charlton's highest league position for more than 20 years when they finished ninth last season.

The midfielder is looking forward to the next campaign at The Valley but he is concentrating on international duties this week as the Irish continue their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Republic are top of Group Two with three games to play after Roy Keane's second-half goal was cancelled out by Luis Figo's equaliser on Saturday.

Didier Deschamps, the former Chelsea midfielder, was today expected to take charge of French glamour club Monaco.

Deschamps was with Spanish club Valencia last season but will return to his native France to begin his managerial career.