By Jon Colman

Last updated at 14:09, Friday, 27 November 2009

FORMER Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson failed in a last-ditch bid to sign Blues defender Peter Murphy before yesterday’s loan deadline.

Happy times: The then Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson, front, and Peter Murphy, left, celebrate winning the League Two Championship in May 2006

Simpson, now manager of League Two side Shrewsbury, wanted to take the long-serving centre-half on loan until January.

Carlisle rejected the move for Murphy, who has been out of favour at Brunton Park in recent weeks. But The Cumberland News understands Simpson will be closely monitoring Murphy’s situation with a view to a second approach in the January transfer window.

News of Simpson’s attempted swoop for the popular Dubliner comes after Blues boss Greg Abbott had fended off interest from Ipswich in Ian Harte, the man currently keeping Murphy out of the Carlisle first team.

It raises the strong possibility that Murphy’s eventful eight-year stay at Brunton Park could be coming to an end.

Abbott was unwilling to part with the 29-year-old now as his defensive ranks are currently depleted with the loss of David Raven for most of the season through injury.

Murphy’s departure would have left the manager with no senior cover at centre-half, with Richard Keogh currently filling in for Raven at right-back.

It is understood the United boss would only have sanctioned Murphy’s exit if he had been able to land a replacement before yesterday’s deadline, but Abbott was unsuccessful in his own attempts to strengthen his squad.

Murphy has made only six league appearances this term and five cup outings, scoring in United’s 3-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Chesterfield earlier this month.

Harte, meanwhile, will start against Norwich in tomorrow’s FA Cup second round clash at Brunton Park (kick-off 5.15pm) after his former Republic of Ireland team-mate Roy Keane failed to lure him to Portman Road.

Keane wanted to the 32-year-old – Carlisle’s seven-goal top scorer – on loan with a view to a permanent move, with a young Ipswich player coming the other way. Abbott turned down the approach flat and it remains to be seen whether Keane will resume his interest in Harte in January.

The only piece of transfer activity yesterday was Gavin Rothery’s move to Barrow on loan until January 3.

The reserve winger has been given permission to play for the Bluebirds in their FA Cup clash at Oxford tomorrow.

Abbott, meanwhile, has spoken of his optimism that star trio Tom Taiwo, Adam Clayton and Vincent Pericard will extend their spells at Brunton Park well into the new year despite interest from other clubs.

The manager revealed he had received an enquiry about one of the players – believed to be Taiwo – from a club higher up the league.

But Abbott remains hopeful that he will be able to persuade the teenager to extend his current loan deal, which runs out at the end of December.

Man City loan midfielder Clayton, who is expected to shake off a knee injury in time to face the Canaries, has also impressed in his brief stint with Carlisle. And striker Pericard, whose short-term deal runs until January 12, has scored four goals in nine appearances and is regarded as a key player by the manager.

“I have spoken to all three and their responses have been positive,” Abbott said. “They like what we are doing here and I think they are really keen to extend if certain circumstances are for them. I have had a phone call from a big club about one of them, to say they have heard he was doing well and they are going to watch him.

“That is a problem for us but it tells you we are bringing in the right type of player. And you can’t stop that with loan players.

“They have all had a big input into what we are doing. Adam is going to be a terrific player and, like Tom, you might have other people looking at what they can do. And Vincent’s agent is probably fielding calls from people asking what he could do for them.”

Clayton is expected to shake off a knee injury in time for tomorrow’s tie, which is being broadcast live on the FA’s website. Kevan Hurst should also keep his place after his goalscoring return to the side against the Dons.

United will receive a £67,500 broadcasting fee and can claim £27,000 in prize money if they see off Norwich and book their place in the third round, when every Premier League and Championship club comes into the draw.

United’s youth team are due to host Accrington Stanley at Creighton RFC tomorrow (11am) but the game is subject to a pitch inspection.

First published at 14:08, Friday, 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk