Birkirkara are engaged in efforts to dispel the uncertainty over Sylvano Comvalius's future in light of interest in the Dutch striker from Spartak Nalchik.

In the last few weeks, Comvalius had a number of training sessions with the Russian club after joining their pre-season training base in Antalya on two separate occasions.

Sources told The Times that Spartak Nalchik have told Birkirkara that they want to host Comvalius for another one-week training stint before making a concrete offer but the Stripes are refusing to send the 22-year-old for a third trial.

With the start of the Championship Pool only days away, Birkirkara harbour concerns that Comvalius's head has been turned by Spartak Nalchik's approach and coach Paul Zammit and club officials were due to meet the player's representative yesterday evening to discuss the situation.

News that a substantial offer from Spartak Nalchik could tempt Birkirkara to transfer Comvalius prompted reports of a potential move for Michael Mifsud.

The Times has information that Birkirkara are considering the option of offering a short-term deal to the Malta striker if Comvalius leaves for Spartak Nalchik.

Mifsud has been without a club since his contract with English club Coventry City expired at the end of last season. Although Mifsud has repeatedly declared that his priority was to join an overseas club, the prospect of turning out for Birkirkara, very much in the race for the Premier League title, for the final two-and-half months of the season may appeal to the 28-year-old.

On the field, Birkirkara gained a timely boost ahead of their opening Championship Pool game against Sliema Wanderers on Friday as goals by Karl Pulo and Paul Fenech gave them a 2-0 win over Hibs in the final of the Gozo Cup on Sunday.