Sunderland crisis puts Liddle, Kavanagh loan extensions in doubt
Last updated 12:18, Monday, 01 December 2008
Greg Abbott’s plans to tie up Sunderland loan stars Graham Kavanagh and Michael Liddle on longer deals could be thrown in doubt by Roy Keane’s uncertain future as Black Cats manager.
Carlisle United caretaker boss Abbott is keen on extending the deals of both men who have played a big part in the Blues’ recent revival.
But whether Abbott is successful could now depend on whether Keane is still in charge at the Stadium of Light to sanction extended moves for the duo.
The former Manchester United and Eire icon saw his side slump to a 4-1 defeat at home to Bolton on Saturday and suggested he was considering his future. “I might wake up on Monday morning and think I’m the right man. On Tuesday it might be different,” he said.
Both loanees are understood to be keen on a longer stint at Carlisle, with Kavanagh's current deal due to expire on December 13 and Liddle at the club until January 3.
Abbott saw evergreen midfielder Kavanagh - 35 tomorrow - score the third goal of his Carlisle spell to seal Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup first round rearranged replay win at Grays Athletic.
Teenage left-back Liddle, who was not registered in time to face Grays, now comes into the reckoning for the Crewe game.
The Blues caretaker boss, meanwhile, has allowed loan midfielder John Welsh to return to Hull after deciding against an extended deal for the ex-Liverpool man.
United midfielder Luke Joyce helped Barrow to a famous 2-1 win over Brentford in the cup on Friday night and the south Cumbrians now face a dream trip to Premier League side Middlesbrough in the third round.
- United's youth team continued their impressive run with a 2-0 win at Bury. Liam Davison and Chris McDougall were on target for Eric Kinder's side, who have won 13 of their last 15 games.
