Focussed Furman

Dean Furman

SKIPPER Dean Furman will be a man on a mission when Athletic travel to Carlisle tomorrow.

The midfield maestro, back in full swing after returning from surgery on a torn cartilage in his left knee, comes up against his former flatmate Rory Loy, who scored in the Cumbrians’ 3-2 midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

And Furman also wants to settle old scores — he is still fuming at seeing a two-goal lead slip last season, with Paul Dickov’s side eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw at Brunton Park.

“I lived with Rory during our time at Glasgow Rangers,” he said. “He is in great form at the moment, playing just off the strikers and he got a goal in their fantastic win the other night.

“The texts have been flowing this week, but once we are out on the pitch it is strictly business and there could be a few tasty challenges.

“We played well at Carlisle last season and should never have surrendered our lead.

“I think it is important for myself and the rest of the lads still at the club who played in that match to remember what happened.

“A few of us have personal vendettas and scores to settle at Carlisle.”

Like many professional sports figures, Furman likes nothing less than being sidelined through injury and is delighted to be back.

He scored on his first start since going under the knife — in the 2-0 win over Wycombe — and got another 90 minutes under his belt in the 3-3 draw at Preston in midweek.

Furman added: “I am not very good at sitting down and watching the games, it just doesn’t compare to playing.

“It was strange because during my absence the manager brought in a few new players, so when I recovered and came back into the reckoning it was almost like being part of a new side.

“But I watched all the games and was able to suss out what the new lads were all about and how they played the game, so that helped me adapt a bit quicker.”

Furman has been impressed by the impact of his engine room colleagues, Tom Adeyemi and James Wesolowski.

“James breaks up play so well and allows me to go forward, unlike last season when I was the sitter,” he continued.

“Tom’s legs are unbelievable — he has so much energy and is a great forward runner.”