Carlisle Utd tell Ipswich: Hands off Ian Harte
Last updated at 09:26, Friday, 27 November 2009
Carlisle United have knocked back an audacious bid from Ipswich to snap up defender Ian Harte on loan.
News & Star Sport can today reveal the Tractor Boys – managed by Harte’s former Republic of Ireland team-mate Roy Keane – made a move for the Blues defender last week.
But the Cumbrians – who claimed a stunning 4-3 victory at MK Dons last night – have rejected the Championship club’s approach for one of their most important players.
Keane, who signed Harte for Sunderland in 2007, is believed to have wanted the former Leeds star to join before tomorrow’s loan deadline with a view to a permanent deal in the January transfer window.
The Portman Road outfit’s interest in the 64-cap Eire international was made known to Greg Abbott last Tuesday but the Blues boss rebuffed their bid.
Under-pressure Keane, whose side are struggling at second bottom of the Championship, believed 32-year-old Harte could help shore up a defence which has conceded 28 goals in 17 league games so far this season.
The fiery Ipswich chief is understood to have offered United a young member of his squad in exchange for Harte but the offer was not acceptable to the Cumbrians.
The defender is in the early months of a two-year deal at Brunton Park and it remains to be seen whether Keane comes back in for the influential player in January.
But the prospect of a deal before tomorrow’s deadline now seems dead.
Harte has grown in influence this season since Abbott switched him from his preferred position of left-back to the centre of the Cumbrians’ back four. The former Elland Road favourite is also United’s top scorer with seven goals.
The four-month lay-off required by David Raven after a hip operation means Abbott’s defensive ranks are currently depleted and he can ill afford to lose a player of Harte’s pedigree.
Abbott himself is unlikely to make any signings before tomorrow’s deadline.
First published at 11:20, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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Common sense at last - well done Carlisle!
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Don't be surprised if and when Ipswich come back with a cash offer, he'll be gone.
Posted by Fergle on 25 November 2009 at 21:49