By Jon Colman

Last updated at 08:22, Friday, 05 December 2008

Jeff Smith has revealed he was on the brink of a deadline-day move to Conference side York City last week, only for Carlisle United to pull the plug on the deal after Simon Hackney’s injury.

Jeff Smith

Hackney’s calf problem has allowed Smith to reclaim the left-wing place in Greg Abbott’s side and the former Port Vale man now says he is playing for his future at Brunton Park.

Smith, 28, said: “I’ve got the shirt at the moment and if I keep performing well it will give the gaffer a decision to make.

“I nearly went on loan last week, but Greg stopped it because Simon got injured and he needed me to play on Saturday.

“I was going to go to York in the Conference, which I didn’t really want to do, but Martin Foyle has just gone there and he was my manager at Vale when I was there.

“It would have been better than playing reserve team football, but Greg has given me a chance here now and hopefully I can sustain that. There are a lot of people whose contracts are up at the end of the season and I’m just going to do my best for the team.”

Smith, a £60,000 signing from Vale in January 2007, said Wednesday’s cup defeat to Crewe was a huge missed opportunity but said the Blues would aim to quickly bounce back as they enter a busy winter programme, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Swindon.

“We wanted to go on a cup run, especially after the Grays tie taking so long to finish, and we wanted to go to Millwall in the third round and settle a score,” Smith said.

“But we just have to concentrate on the league now. There are a lot of games coming up in a short space of time and if we can get two or three wins going into that period, our position can change quite quickly. It’s an important period for us so roll on Swindon.”

Abbott is still awaiting news on Chris Lumsdon’s ankle injury after the midfielder limped out of Monday’s reserve game against Accrington. Czech trialist Jakub Hottek scored in Carlisle’s 3-2 win but it remains unclear whether he will be returning to Brunton Park.

United are set to run the rule over highly-rated Workington Reds goalkeeper Adam Collin next week after inviting the 23-year-old to train with the established ‘keepers at Brunton Park.

Workington manager Darren Edmondson, said: “Adam is in the middle of a great spell of form and it is up to him now to earn a place at Carlisle. I want him to play at a high level because I know he can.”

• United's youth team tackle Crewe in the FA Youth Cup third round at Brunton Park next Wednesday night, kick-off 7pm.

Eric Kinder’s under-18 side have won 13 or their last 15 games and host Morecambe in the league tomorrow at Creighton Rugby Club. Kick-off is 11am with a pitch inspection planned for 8am.

First published at 05:23, Friday, 05 December 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk