Gary gives Carlisle fresh heart

A POOR home loss to Dagenham and Redbridge was the latest setback in a topsy-turvy season for Carlisle, Athletic’s opponents at Boundary Park on Boxing Day.

Arriving after a 3-1 victory over npower League One promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday in the Northern semi-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the 2-0 defeat to the Daggers at Brunton Park leaves Greg Abbott's men in 12th place in the table.

That is far from a disaster, especially for a club tipped to fare poorly this season, following the loss of talismanic centre-back Ian Harte, who left to sign for Championship side Reading in the summer.

But at the same time, it is possibly slightly disappointing for the Cumbrians after they had started the season so brightly.

Harte's set-piece goals gave Carlisle a major boost last season.

The former Leeds player bagged 18 to help raise the team up to a 14th-place finish, six points and two places ahead of Athletic.

This term, Harte's missing goals have been more than compensated for by the ongoing good form of striker Gary Madine.

The 20-year-old target man, who has had spells on loan at Rochdale, Coventry and Chesterfield, has 13 to his name in 25 appearances in all competitions.

Gateshead-born Madine was reportedly a target for Newcastle United earlier this season while Middlesbrough are also interested in prising the player away from Brunton Park.

Madine, who stands at 6ft 4in, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and could end up leaving the club in the January transfer window should they wish to cash in.

Possibly in preparation for that eventuality, Abbott has brought in a new striker to the club in the shape of Bermuda international striker Nahki Wells.

The 19-year-old will sign a deal at the turn of the New Year after impressing in training.

At present, United have a surfeit of attacking options.

Along with Madine, Francois Zoko, Ryan Bowman, Richard Offiong, Craig Curran and Andy Cook are permanently-contracted strikers with the Cumbrians.

Then there are the loan forwards Mike Grella of Leeds and Stoke City front man Ben Marshall.

Also at Brunton Park on a temporary basis are Leeds centre-back Lubomir Michalik, Manchester United defender James Chester, and one man Cedric Evina will know very well — left-back Thomas Cruise from Arsenal.

Jason Price, the Carlisle forward who had a loan spell at Boundary Park last season, is out on a similar arrangement at League Two club Bradford.