Exclusive By Jon Colman

Last updated at 14:14, Friday, 09 March 2012

Carlisle United have missed out on an ambitious bid to land former Middlesbrough and Birmingham City star Stuart Parnaby.

The defender, a free agent, has been training with the Cumbrians and Carlisle were understood to be hopeful of a deal.

But United’s chances of signing the 29-year-old are now fading after Parnaby linked up with Championship club Hull City on trial.

Parnaby, a former England Under-21 international with top-flight experience, played for Hull’s reserves against Scunthorpe on Wednesday night.

The Cumberland News understands Blues manager Greg Abbott was ready to offer terms to the Durham-born player, who came through Middlesbrough’s coaching academy which is headed by his father Dave. The right-back has been without a club since leaving Birmingham at the end of last season and a proposed return to St Andrews last September fell through.

Parnaby – an unused sub when Birmingham won the Carling Cup final last February – has since had trials with Millwall and Hull in his bid to revive his career.

Hull manager Nick Barmby said Middlesbrough coach Steve Agnew had alerted him to Parnaby's availability.

“We'll take a look at him for a couple of weeks and see how it goes,” said Barmby.

United declined to comment on Parnaby.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 09 March 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk