NEIL LENNON has revealed Celtic have targeted Willo Flood as cover for Shunsuke Nakamura.

NEIL LENNON has revealed Celtic have targeted Willo Flood as cover for Shunsuke Nakamura.

With the Japanese Bhoy set to return to his homeland at the end of the season, the little Irish star could become a ready-made replacement on the right side of the Hoops midfield.

Flood will line up for Dundee United against Celtic at Hampden tomorrow night. But negotiations are continuing to try to bring the man who is on loan at Tannadice from Cardiff to Parkhead. The Celtic coach said: "He is a player we've been keeping an eye on.

"Whether or not a deal gets done is still to be determined. We're hopeful maybe we can get him in.

"Willo played very well against us a fortnight ago. He can pass the ball and is a very fit boy who can play right side or central.

"We do lack a bit on the right-hand side. If you take Naka out of the team, you are looking at maybe Scott Brown to play that role.

"But we're loathe to put Brownie out there because he is playing so well centrally.

"Willo might fill that position," Lennon confirmed to Celtic TV.

Celtic have so far dealt only with Flood's agent, which they are entitled to do as he is within six months of the end of his contract.

But Cardiff boss Dave Jones today confirmed Gordon Strachan called him yesterday regarding the player and they are now awaiting an offer.The Championship club are prepared to end his loan deal at Tannadice as soon as a deal can be concluded.

Ironically, if Celtic do stump up cash for Flood - it might take as little as £100,000 - Cardiff could use the money to help fund the revival of their interest in another Celtic target, Ched Evans.

The Manchester City striker would cost around £1.2m. But City are now understood to be keen to hold onto him, so a loan deal - which was Celtic's initial offer, and what would interest Cardiff - could still be arranged.

Sheffield United continue to hover in the background, and Celtic would like an answer quickly so that they can move onto other targets if Evans is not Parkhead bound.

Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique is under consideration. But the Spanish defender's £2m-per-year wages seem sure to end any interest.

The Tyneside club responded to that enquiry by asking how much it would take to buy Stephen McManus, though this has been met with a luke-warm response from Parkhead.