Carlisle United

Coach Booth nets Carlisle return
Coach Dennis Booth will return to Carlisle on Thursday as temporary assistant manager. He will be number two to caretaker boss Gregg Abbott who has taken over after Neil McDonald was sacked. Booth held the same position with at Brunton Park but left the role in the summer of 2006. He arrived at Carlisle in October 2003 as assistant to former boss Paul Simpson, who left to become Preston's manager in June 2006. Booth's coaching experience includes spells with the England Under-21s, Huddersfield, Hull and Aston Villa.

Carlisle star relieved after scan
Carlisle defender Peter Murphy has learned that he did not suffer any serious damage to his ankle when he was forced off in their game with Walsall. Murphy fell awkwardly following an aerial challenge just before half-time on the opening day of the season. But physio Neil Dalton told the club website: "The scan results are really encouraging - we can now continue with his rehab programme. "We should have him back to full fitness in two to three weeks."

Football fan banned for smoking
Carlisle United has banned one of its supporters from its Brunton Park ground for smoking. The club said the fan, who has not been named, was handed the season-long ban for repeatedly ignoring restrictions on smoking in public places. The supporter was warned several times about smoking in the ground's Warwick Road End on 18 August. The government-imposed ban on smoking in public spaces in England came into force in July. A club spokesman said: "New Football League rules, implemented ahead of this season, mean that stadiums around the country must remain smoke free. 'No alternative' "The policy here at Brunton Park has always been to be as sensitive as we could be, and issue a warning, complete with request that the cigarette should be put out immediately, should we find anyone smoking within the confines of the stadium. "Unfortunately we had a case in the Warwick Road End where our requests were not complied with, and we were forced to issue a Banning Order. "The club is always willing to listen to an appeal but, as members of the Football League, we have no alternative but to abide by Football League rules." The club said the fan could appeal against the decision. The spokesman added: "Obviously if the club were convinced of the integrity of any promise that the offence will not re-occur, then this would naturally be taken into account when assessing any appeal." A spokesman for the Football League said it was up to individual clubs to manage smoking issues.

Westwood recovery boosts Carlisle
Carlisle goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is expected to be back in training on Thursday after recovering from a dead leg sustained at the weekend. Westwood collided with team-mate Danny Livesey during the 1-0 win over Cheltenham on Saturday. It was feared that the 22-year-old might face a spell on the sidelines. However, Westwood is expected to return to full training by Thursday and should be in contention for the visit of Tranmere on Saturday.

Abbott reflects on first defeat
Carlisle caretaker boss Greg Abbott was philosophical after their unbeaten league start was ended with Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Tranmere. "It was going to come sooner or later, although I'd rather it had come later," Abbott reflected. "The passion and the determination were there, but we just lacked a bit of quality at times, and a cutting edge in the final third. "We've paid the price today, but we'll work hard and bounce back."

Carlisle sign Preston's Anyinsah
Preston winger Joe Anyinsah has joined Carlisle United on a month's loan. Anyinsah, 22, is yet to start a first-team game for Preston since signing from Bury in July 2005. But Anyinsah has made a handful of substitute appearances and has had previous senior starts with Bristol City, Bury and Hereford. "He's an exciting winger and we're looking forward to working with him over the next month," caretaker manager Greg Abbott told Carlisle's website.

Keogh relishes switch to Carlisle
Defender Richard Keogh is pleased to have joined Carlisle on loan after moving from Bristol City until January. The 21-year-old completed his move before Thursday's loan deadline, having returned from international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side. Keogh had only recently returned from a loan spell at Carlisle's League One rivals Huddersfield. "I wasn't really playing at Bristol, so I couldn't wait to get up here," he told the Cumbrians' website. "Carlisle are top of the league and flying at the moment, but (boss) John Ward must think I'm capable of doing a good job." Although Keogh is at Brunton Park until 1 January, City will have a recall option after the first 28 days of the loan.

Ward praise for battling Carlisle
Carlisle boss John Ward was pleased after his side edged out fellow high-fliers Leyton Orient 1-0 to move up to second place in League One. "It was a strong, powerful performance from the team, rather than a classy performance," Ward said. "We felt that if we gave Orient room, they could pass and might undo us, but we didn't allow them that much room. "A clean sheet against a team with one of the best away records in this league was a big achievement as well."

Carlisle P-P Swansea
Carlisle's top-of-the-table League One clash with Swansea has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Brunton Park. Covers being used to protect the pitch were removed on Friday morning and a decision was made before leaders Swansea boarded their plane. "We tried to apply heat this morning using industrial heaters," said managing director John Nixon. "But the frost has bitten deep and there are still areas of the pitch that are very, very hard underfoot."

Ward happy with half-way position
Carlisle boss John Ward was pleased to beat Port Vale 3-2 as they reached the half-way point in the league season. The Cumbrians are second in League One after taking 42 points from the first 23 of their 46 league games. "We're half-way through the second and second in the table, so it's time to reflect and say that's been a great effort," Ward enthused. "It will not be easy to emulate what we have just done in the first 23 games, but we're in a terrific position."

Carlisle recruit midfielder Smith
Carlisle United have signed midfielder Grant Smith on a short-term deal which runs until the end of the season. The 27-year-old, who recently had a spell with HJK Helsinki, has been training with the Brunton Park side. Boss John Ward told the club's website: "We still need to get his international clearance through, but everything is agreed. "I've known Grant for the three years. He released by Bristol City, so I took him in to Cheltenham."

Ward refusing to rest on laurels
Carlisle boss John Ward is staying low-key despite setting a new club record of 10 home league wins in a row. Promotion remains Ward's No 1 target and although fans might have revelled in the record-breaking 2-1 win over Huddersfield, he wants no distractions. "We've won tonight," he said. "But I don't go swinging from the stands. "We're working hard at what we're trying to do," he told SSB. "It's important we stay on an even keel and don't dig big holes for ourselves." Ward's men have come under fire from supporters in recent weeks but the Carlisle manager believes Tuesday night's performance was the ideal response. He told SSB: "We worked hard, went at it on the training pitch and they responded tonight. "They passed the ball with confidence, we tried to get the ball down and we've got two wide men who can cause damage."

Ward praises Carlisle character
Carlisle United boss John Ward praised his side's character after seeing them follow up the victory over Nottingham Forest with a 2-0 win against Brighton. "Everyone has been keen to pat us on the back and tell us how good we are after winning at Nottingham," he said. "It was important we didn't get carried away and think we just had to turn up. "We had to fight hard to get some authority on the game and we rode our luck a little bit but we ran out good winners in the end."

Ward cuts short Gall loan spell
Carlisle United boss John Ward has been forced to recall striker Kevin Gall from a loan spell at Darlington after injuries left him short of options. Winger Jeff Smith became the latest casualty against Luton in midweek where a tackle seriously injured his ankle. With Scott Dobie, Joe Garner and Gary Madine all unavailable Ward was forced to curtail the Welshman's loan period. Gall, 26, had recently extended his stay at the Arena after impressing Quakers' boss Dave Penney. During his time on Teesside Gall made seven appearances, without scoring a goal.

Ward bemoans fixtures avalanche
Carlisle United boss John Ward has criticised the way fixtures have been scheduled going into the final period of the season in League One. Like many clubs, Carlisle will be pressed into duty over the Easter weekend and Ward believes it is a case of too many games in too short a time. "The Premiership teams aren't playing the games," he told SSB "We've got 10 games to go in such a short period of time and playing two games in three days is no help to us." Carlisle fixtures in March Leyton Orient - A Northampton - H Gillingham - A With Carlisle playing four games already in March, Ward has also been forced to guard against injuries with such a small squad. "We've had to give people a breather as well as getting the training in," he said. "It's not just bodies, it's mind as well and we've had a hectic period."

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