Injured Reid will miss play-offs
Last updated 13:55, Wednesday, 07 May 2008
Paul Reid today revealed his agony at missing out on Carlisle United’s bid for playoff glory.
And the Cumbrian, whose ankle injury means he will not be extending his loan spell at Brunton Park, said the ball is in United’s court over a permanent move in the summer.
Reid, who managed just 45 minutes of first-team football during his six-week stint with Carlisle, has now returned to Barnsley after admitting he would not be fit enough to play any part in United’s League One playoff semi-finals with Leeds next week.
It means Ward, right, must cope without the 26-year-old’s experience for the massive double-header and a possible Wembley final.
“Me and the manager both agreed my ankle wasn’t going to be right for the first couple of playoff games,” said Reid.
“Even if I might be ok after that, I wouldn’t have trained for four or five weeks before a final and it would be difficult to come back into that when the other lads had done all the work in the semi-finals.
“It’s massively disappointing to be missing out on the games, but it sums my season up. It’s been a whole year of thinking things are back on track and then getting another setback.
“It would be too big a risk now. After the season I’ve had, I really need to go into the next pre-season flying – wherever that is.”
Reid, who started his career with his home-city club, said he’ll be watching United attempt to overcome Leeds over two legs at Elland Road and Brunton Park next week, ahead of the play-off final at Wembley on May 25.
And he is keen to return for a third stint with the Blues next season.
“Carlisle are concentrating at the play-offs at the moment and hopefully they’ve got three massive games coming up,” said Reid, who has had spells at Rangers, Northampton and Preston.
“If the manager wants to speak to me after that, he knows where I am.
“Even though it hasn’t worked our as well as it could have this time, I’ve seen enough of the club to want to be here, regardless of whether we go up.
“And I hope the manager has seen enough of me in training and the reserves to convince him I would be able to strengthen his squad.
“I’ve got another year on my contract at Barnsley but my future probably lies away from there. Carlisle would definitely be one of the clubs I’d be keen on and the ball is in their court.”
Reid also believes United are capable of turning the tables on Leeds next week. “We didn’t have a great end to the season but don’t forget we amassed 80 points and you don’t suddenly turn into a bad team,” he said.
“It’s the highest Carlisle have finished since I can remember and the lads can go into the Leeds games full of confidence on the back of a good season.”
