by Amanda Little

Last updated at 11:53, Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott could hijack Workington Reds’ attempts to sign Matt Jansen by rolling out the welcome mat for the troubled Cumbrian striker.

Matt Jansen

Abbott insists the Brunton Park door is still open if the 31-year-old former Blackburn Rovers star wants to rebuild his shattered career at the club where he came through the youth ranks, before being sold for a club record £1.5million to Crystal Palace in 1998.

Jansen’s former Carlisle team-mate Darren Edmondson, now Reds manager, has already spoken to his old pal and negotiations will continue on a possible move to the Blue Square North club when the player returns from a family holiday.

Wrexham had appeared to be leading the chase for Jansen’s signature after he scored one goal in three games for Dean Saunders’ men towards the end of last season, but the former England under-21 international, from Wetheral, recently admitted a fresh crisis of confidence is threatening to end his playing career.

Jansen’s problems stem from the trauma of motorcycle crash while on holiday in Rome in 2002 in which he suffered serious head injuries and was left in a coma.

After failed attempts at a comeback with Bolton and Coventry City, the striker, who was on the cusp of an England place before his accident, trained at Carlisle two years ago and Abbott says he would still be prepared to give him the chance to get fit at Brunton Park this summer and see if he can rediscover his confidence and appetite for the game.

He said: “The ball is in Matt’s court and he only has to pick up the phone if he wants to come to Carlisle even if it is just to get fit over the summer.

“If he shows he could play again and has the desire to do so then we would look at the situation.

“He has trained with us before and did really well and seemed to be enjoying himself. Then he decided it wasn’t for him and the way we left things was that if he fancied having another go he could come back. That offer is still there and we could then see how it works out for both parties.”

The news will come as a major blow to Wrexham, who had offered Jansen a one-year deal. The Blue Square Premier outfit are managed by his former Blackburn coach Dean Saunders, who had been hopeful of luring him back.

First published at 11:26, Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk