Last updated at 11:37, Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Carlisle United have yet to make their major moves in the transfer market before the 2009-10 season. Jon Colman picks out five players he reckons should be in manager Greg Abbott's thoughts.

JASON PRICE
Released by: Doncaster Rovers
Age: 32
Position: Striker/winger

Carlisle have tried and failed before to tempt the frizzy-haired Price to Brunton Park, but on neither occasion did their chances of landing him look as promising as they do now.

The strapping Price, dubbed the ‘Afro goal machine’ at Doncaster, first popped up on John Ward’s radar last summer when the former Blues manager was pursing extra attacking options.

The 32-year-old remained at the Keepmoat but was back in United’s sights for a potential loan switch during the spring’s relegation battle, only for Price to opt for play-off chasing Millwall.

Donny’s impressive survival in the Championship has left Price surplus to requirements for good in Yorkshire; news which ought to trigger a squabble for his services in the third tier.

Anyone at United who recalls the barnstorming impact he had on Rovers’ League One promotion campaign the previous season should be convinced he could make a similar mark at Brunton Park.

This distinctive lower-league ace could bring presence to the Cumbrians’ attack on either flank or up front. Carlisle should try to nab him before the Lions and others have the chance.

DAVID CONNOLLY
Released by: Sunderland
Age: 32
Position: Striker

Connolly's status as a frustrated outcast at Sunderland puts to waste one of the most proven finishers the Football League has seen in recent times. The predator who boasts impressive goalscoring records at such clubs as Wimbledon, West Ham United and Leicester City needs a fresh stab at first-team football before his career slumps into its veteran years.

Released by new Black Cats manager Steve Bruce, Connolly’s appearance in the free transfer market catches the eye.

And there is good reason why Carlisle could jump the queue for his services.

If player-coach Graham Kavanagh can persuade one illustrious ex-Republic of Ireland team-mate (Ian Harte) to join the Blues on a permanent basis, surely he could work the same trick with 41-cap Connolly?

True, United would likely face an uphill chase for the frontman, with Championship clubs likely to show interest this summer. But with the Blues in desperate need for a reliable, penalty-box sniper, there’s surely no harm in trying.

JOHN PAUL KISSOCK
Released by: Everton
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder

A player who might disappear under the radar of many clubs simply because of his size – Kissock is a diminutive 5ft 6ins.

But it would be quite wrong to dismiss the shaggy-haired, hobbit-like Liverpudlian purely on the basis of his lack of feet and inches.

Kissock’s name will be known to some of our readers after a brief, decent loan spell with Gretna in their fleeting SPL days.

He is considerably better-known on Merseyside as a player with rich potential who has simply suffered the cost of Everton’s muscular advance towards the fringes of the Premier League’s top-four.

A loan spell at League Two side Accrington last season passed with favourable comment from the Stanley support and the feeling is that Kissock’s energy and skills are more suited to a higher stage.

The third tier’s meatiest defenders might occasionally bundle him down a rut, but this gifted teenager – capped by England at U16, U17 and U18 levels – still has more than enough ability to warrant Carlisle’s consideration.

EDRISSA SONKO
Released by: Tranmere Rovers
Age: 29
Position: Winger

Surprisingly freed by Tranmere despite starting 37 games last term, Gambian Sonko could be a hidden gem in the huge pile of released players this summer.

The former Walsall winger featured prominently against Carlisle last term, delivering a mercurial performance in Rovers’ 2-1 win at Brunton Park last October.

And with United in need of options down both flanks before the start of the 2009/10 campaign, they could do much worse than toss Sonko a deal.

Comfortable on the left and right wings and also capable of operating in central midfield, the elusive 29-year-old is a proven League One campaigner.

He could be a ready-made replacement for Lewis Neal and Jeff Smith on one flank, or a capable successor to wantaway Cleveland Taylor on the other.

There are many worse options in the market this summer than the occasionally-infuriating but often-dynamic Sonko.

FABIAN YANTORNO
Released by: Hibernian
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder

A left-field suggestion, perhaps. But somebody out there will eventually take another punt on Yantorno’s flair. Why not Carlisle?

A well-known figure in these parts for his starring role in Gretna’s SPL campaign, a serious knee injury did not dissuade Hibernian from snapping up the Uruguayan as the Borderers skidded out of existence last year.

But life at Easter Road was full of frustrations for the playmaker, whose claims for a regular place in the side were largely overlooked by former boss Mixu Paatelainen.

His recent axeing has, however, split fans of the Edinburgh club, with many arguing Yantorno’s cultured skills were never given the appropriate chance by Paatelainen, who favoured a more basic playing style.

Carlisle, their finances being what they are, are practically obliged to take a few calculated gambles in the transfer market this summer. And Yantorno, with his injury still fresh in the mind, would represent a whopping punt.

But while Greg Abbott – in his pursuit of high-energy, combative players – might regard the South American as a luxury player he can ill afford, he should also know that luxury isn’t always a bad thing.

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk