Price finds niche at mid-table Carlisle

PARK LIFE:

CARLISLE UNITED are currently stationed in League One's no-man's land.

Slap bang in the middle of the table, Athletic’s opponents on Saturday have had an up-and-down season.

After recovering from a poor start — including a 2-0 defeat at Boundary Park in September, with Kiegan Parker and Pawel Abbott getting the goals — the Cumbrians are currently 12th, seven points clear of Athletic.

Their 3-1 defeat to Leeds United in midweek came as a result of a pair of goals in the six minutes after half-time from Max Gradel and Luciano Becchio, following a first-half Becchio strike which was equalised for the home side by Richard Keogh two minutes before the interval.

One familiar face not present in boss Greg Abbott's line-up for that game was Jason Price.

The Millwall striker, who scored one goal for Athletic in a month-long loan spell at the club earlier this season, left sharply for the North-East when boss Dave Penney elected to look elsewhere for striking options.

Since his arrival at Brunton Park in a deal which runs to the end of the season, Price has scored twice but a tweaked hamstring ruled him out of playing against Leeds.

Nobody has scored more times for Carlisle this season than former Leeds left-back Ian Harte.

And the former Republic of Ireland international, once a regular in the Champions' League, has enjoyed a career renaissance at Carlisle.

The 32-year-old — who had only scored twice since 2004 before this season — has managed 15 in the league so far and his exploits have attracted interest from Roy Keane's Ipswich Town.

The highlight of the campaign so far from a Carlisle point of view is a visit to Wembley.

The Cumbrians made it to the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, seeing off Leeds along the way, before running into a rampant Southampton side who won the game 4-1.

Athletic travel to Brunton Park hoping to inflict a ninth home loss of the season on Abbot's men, which would also serve to complete a second league double of the season.



JIM GOODWIN is still a distance away from making his playing comeback for Athletic.

The on-loan Huddersfield Town midfielder has missed the last 13 games for the club — and may only be fit to return for the final month of the campaign.

Goodwin, who impressed in the right-back role before injury struck, has broken down twice while attempting to recover from a troublesome thigh injury and manager Dave Penney is taking no chances with the 28-year-old former Stockport and Huddersfield man.

"He has had a scan and is not far off in regard to the tear which has nearly healed," said Penney.

"Jim has to start building his fitness up now and we might get him for two or three games towards the end of the season.

"But he has had a couple of setbacks already, so we aren't going to rush him."




THE BOUNDARY Blues are holding an end-of-season party on Monday, May 3, at the Oldham St Anne's RL club.



It is a chance for members of the junior supporters club to meet the players, collect autographs and ask them questions. The day includes games, a raffle, quiz, music and the opportunity to become a mascot next season.

The Boundary Blues player of the season will be announced and the winner presented with his prize.

Tickets are available in the club shop, priced at £6 for children and £7.50 for adults, including a buffet.