Last updated at 13:12, Monday, 19 October 2009

Carlisle United’s teenage striker Gary Madine today completed his shock loan move to Coventry.

Gary Madine

In a deal first revealed by The Cumberland News last Friday, the 19-year-old has joined the Championship club for three months.

Madine travelled to the West Midlands last night and was training with his new team-mates - including ex-United goalkeeper Keiren Westwood - at the Ricoh Arena today.

A virus kept the 6ft 4in teenager away from the Blues’ training ground last week as the Sky Blues made their surprise approach, but the formalities of his move were completed this morning.

“Gary is hungry for football and, at the moment, he finds himself behind the four strikers that we have at the club,” said manager Greg Abbott. “That has been frustrating for him so this is a great opportunity for him to go and work at a club that is at Championship level.”

Madine has not been granted permission to appear for the Sky Blues in the FA Cup, and is subject to a recall clause in the second and third months of the deal. It is believed Coventry boss Chris Coleman will pursue a permanent deal for the Gateshead-born player if he impresses.

Madine, 19, has only scored once for United this season and has remained on the fringes of Abbott’s first-team. His season then took a controversial twist when he was arrested and fined for being drunk and disorderly in Carlisle last month.

Madine’s fellow United youth product Andy Cook, on loan at Barrow, scored his first goal for the Blue Square Premier side in their 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet.

Cook, who turned 19 yesterday, came off the bench to bag the Bluebirds’ second goal four minutes from time. His former Blues youth teamstrike partner Ryan Bowman was among United’s subs for the first time at Yeovil. 

United's youth side eased to a 3-0 win over Morecambe on Saturday.

Mark Sloan, Mani Richardson and Liam Davison were on target for Eric Kinder’s Under-18 side, who will face Accrington Stanley away in the first round of this season’s FA Youth Cup.Abbott said he was due to speak to Madine today after the striker’s illness prevented him from being involved with United at Yeovil on Saturday.

Madine’s fellow United youth product Andy Cook, on loan at Barrow, scored his first goal for the Blue Square Premier side in their 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet.

Cook, who turned 19 yesterday, came off the bench to bag the Bluebirds’ second goal four minutes from time.

His former Blues youth team strike partner Ryan Bowman was among United’s subs for the first time at Yeovil.

First published at 11:37, Monday, 19 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk