The Cumbrians' supremo is back on the trail of Newcastle's on loan star Stuart Green, who is currently at Hull City but a target for a permanent move to Brunton Park. Carlisle have made an offer that has reportedly been matched by the Tigers but the Geordies may be unwilling to let their young midfield ace go. Kelly's transfer from Derry City was confirmed today at £100,000 following international clearance. Summerbell, who had been in negotiations with the Cumbrians for a fortnight, has finally put pen to paper on a three-year contract that further strengthens United's midfield. The 25-year-old player joined from Premiership side Middlesbrough where he played 58 times for the Riverside club.
The arrival of big money signing Kelly should spark a battle for places in United's central defence, previously fairly cast-iron positions for Stuart Whitehead and Lee Andrews. Andrews has been a bit below his best so far with Whitehead rated man of the match at Lincoln on Saturday by fans. However Andrews is one of Collins' jewels in the crown and was rated their most valuable player alongside striker Richie Foran in the summer. He has already attracted some interest from Preston North End. United will want to keep him in the team in order to maximise his eventual transfer value. Hull chairman Adam Pearson admitted yesterday that the battle for Green's signature may be won by Carlisle. "We are doing everything we can to keep Stuart. We know Newcastle have received several offers and ours matches the best. We have been assured that if they do decide to sell him we will have the first option. But it may not be as straight forward as that. There are other things to consider, for example, Stuart has family and friends in the Carlisle area. At the end of the day everything depends on what Newcastle decide. It is by no means certain they will want to sell him and if that's the case we are hopeful he will continue his loan spell with us." I've had NINE job offers, claims Knighton Former United owner and chairman Michael Knighton has turned down the chance to return to the football industry as commercial manager of Darlington. But the controversial ex-United supremo says he has had 15 phone calls offering a total of nine jobs which he is now considering carefully. "I have had about 15 calls from various clubs and out of that I have had eight or nine offers. Three were to take majority share control, which I have declined. I have no intention of becoming a majority shareholder of a football club in the near future. For the next three or four years I have ruled out the possibility of owning a football club again, although I will always be involved in the football industry somehow," he said. Knighton's ban as a director runs out in four years time. Picture from News & Star |
