By John Colman

Last updated 11:48, Tuesday, 22 April 2008

CARLISLE United’s depleted youth team have four games left to end their own campaign in glory.

The Blues’ under-18 side will almost certainly be crowned champions of the Puma Youth Alliance North West Conference if they win their last quartet of fixtures.

A maximum return from their remaining games against Wigan, Blackpool, Morecambe and Preston would likely clinch the title ahead of Walsall, but it could come down to goal difference.

It will be no easy task for Eric Kinder’s teenagers, not least because of the injuries and illnesses which have struck his squad recently.

Matthew Brown has just returned from injury while Matthew Wood is on the comeback trail. Centre-half Tom Aldred, meanwhile, is struggling with tonsillitis ahead of Thursday’s home clash with Wigan (Sheepmount, 12pm).

Kinder has also had to cope with the loss of Gary Madine to the pro-ranks recently, while Ged Dalton’s recent release has left the coach with another gap to fill.

Michael Hepplethwaite, an 18-year-old striker from Newcastle, has joined on a trial basis until the end of the season and scored in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tranmere along with Ryan Bowman.

The recent goalscoring form of under-16s prospect Bowman, who attends St Aidan’s School in Carlisle, has been another boost to Kinder. “Ryan has surprised me with how well he has taken to Under-18 football,” said the coach of the forward who will step up to full YTS terms next season.

Remaining fixtures: Thursday - Wigan (home, 12pm); Saturday - Blackpool (home, 11am); Wed April 30 - Morecambe (away, 7pm); Sat May 3 - Preston (home, 11am).