By Jon Colman

Last updated at 13:41, Thursday, 08 January 2009

GREG Abbott has backed Carlisle United’s former Leeds star Michael Bridges to rise to the occasion when he makes an emotional return to Elland Road on Saturday.

In the thick of it: Michael Bridges netted the second goal for United giving them a 2-0 Half-time lead

Bridges, who cost Leeds £5million when he moved from Sunderland in 1999, counts his time at the Yorkshire club as the most successful spell of his career.

The 30-year-old scored 19 goals in one top-flight season and enjoyed high-profile European games under David O’Leary before a series of injuries put his career in decline.

So the memories will come flooding back for the striker when he returns to the scene of his former glories with Carlisle on Saturday.

And Blues boss Abbott, who also has his Leeds connections after a nine-year coaching stint in their youth set-up, believes his star loanee will revel in the occasion.

“Michael had a lovely spell there, playing in the Champions League when Leeds were a massive club,” said the United manager.

“They are a massive club now, but not in the terms they were then.

“Michael likes playing football at the best of times, but I think Saturday is a very nice day for him and probably more special than it is for me.

“I’m sure he will love the occasion. I hope he gets his goal, we come away as victors and then we can both shake people’s hands and say it’s lovely to be back!”

Bridges’ last appearance at Elland Road came in December 2006 when he featured for Hull in a goalless draw. His injury-interrupted five-year stay at Leeds led to 82 appearances and 21 goals.

Abbott, meanwhile, has virtually a clean bill of health as he plots the downfall of the fallen Yorkshire giants, who are currently ninth in League One and battling to stay in touch with the promotion pack.

Chris Lumsdon is back in full training but will not be back on the first-team scene until he has got a couple of reserve games under his belt.

Otherwise, Abbott has plenty of options going into Saturday’s clash, with fit-again Paul Thirlwell and Peter Murphy competing for places in midfield and defence respectively.

United’s last trip to Elland Road was their memorable 2-1 play-off first leg victory in May, which gives Abbott confidence in his players’ ability to perform on the big stage.

“We have performed there before and our lads haven’t been fazed by it,” he said. “The times we played there last season we gave a good account of ourselves and hopefully this will be no different. Let’s hope for a positive outcome from the game as well.”

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk