By Amanda Little

Last updated 13:33, Thursday, 17 July 2008

Carlisle United boss John Ward reckons young left-back Evan Horwood will replace Zigor Aranalde as the new fans’ favourite next season.

Evan Horwood

Ward is predicting a big future for the strong-running 22-year-old who arrived at Brunton Park in January after spending the first half of last season in the SPL while on loan at Gretna from Sheffield United.

Horwood replaced Aranalde when the Spanish defender was axed after a loss of form in February, and made such a big impact in the side that he kept the veteran on the sidelines.

Aranalde, a big favourite among the Blues faithful, was released at the end of the season but Ward is predicting a big future for the youngster who hastened his departure from Brunton Park.

Ward, whose side faces Partick Thistle in their second pre-season friendly on Saturday, said: “We think highly of Evan. He replaced Zigor Aranalde who was a big favourite with the fans and, when you do that you have to be good yourself, and I don’t hear anyone grumbling.

“Zigor was a terrific guy but we saw this young man and thought we had to bring him in.

“He got in the first team earlier than we thought as Zigor lost a little bit of form. Evan then kept Zigor out of the team after that – which was a big indication about how his career was going.

“He quietly got on with things and people realise we signed a good player.

“It remains to be seen how far Evan can go. He has to maintain the consistency he has shown but we think he is going to be a good player. If he is consistent then he has a good career in front of him.

“The left-back position is going to be very competitive next season because we signed Darren Campion who covered there. Evan’s challenge is to make sure he is in the team.”

Horwood was one of four signings midway through last season, with striker Scott Dobie, winger Cleveland Taylor and midfielder Grant Smith the other arrivals.

The quartet have all had a chance to settle into the club and will reap the benefits of being part of United’s pre-season campaign, which has seen them spend this week on a team-bonding and training week in Glasgow.

Ward is predicting fans will see the best of last season’s signings in the coming campaign, as they have had a chance to get their feet under the table at Brunton Park and also raised their fitness levels.

The United boss said: “They are all hoping there is more to come and I feel the same.

“Of the four January signings, Evan was the one who had played the most football before coming here, but the intensity of week in, week out football here was a different proposition for him to playing in the SPL.

“Scott had missed out by not being in the Forest team before he came here, Cleveland had been injured and out of favour at Scunthorpe and Grant Smith had broken his wrist.

”All three needed training and they will benefit from the six-week build up to the season, and will be more on a level with everybody else. They were playing catch-up last season but now they feel on par with everybody else.”