Evan Horwood urged to take his chance - if picked for Carlisle's FA Cup replay
Last updated 12:17, Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Evan Horwood has been urged to make the most of his selection reprieve at Grays tonight if he gets the nod from caretaker boss Greg Abbott.
Horwood was replaced by loan kid Michael Liddle for Carlisle United’s victory over Brighton at the weekend after a run of poor form.
The Sunderland teenager, however, has not been registered in time to play in tonight’s FA Cup replay at Grays. And Jeff Smith – another contender for the left-back slot – is out with an ankle injury.
That leaves 22-year-old Horwood battling with Darren Campion for the vacancy in tonight’s back four with the former Gretna man expected to get the vote.
Abbott would not confirm his final selection but said: “If it is the case that Evan plays, it will be a good opportunity for him to come back in and show what he can do.”
Ben Williams will return in goal tonight with Ben Alnwick cup-tied.
Abbott is awaiting contact from Tottenham on whether they will allow the Blues to extend the ‘keeper’s loan, amid reports that Harry Redknapp could turn to Alnwick after the latest blunders from first-choice White Hart Lane custodian Heurelho Gomes.
Chris Lumsdon has travelled with the squad to Essex but is not expected to feature tonight. Skipper Paul Thirlwell, meanwhile, will see a specialist in London over the calf injury from which he has just recovered, but Abbott insisted it was just a standard check-up.
