Last updated at 10:00, Saturday, 27 June 2009

Colchester are set to launch their second transfer raid on Carlisle United in the space of six months with a shock move for goalkeeper Ben Williams.

Ben Williams

News & Star Sport understands the Essex club – who signed winger Simon Hackney from United in January – want Williams to be their next summer recruit.

The Cumbrians are not commenting on Colchester’s interest in the 26-year-old custodian, whose impressive form in the second half of last season helped Carlisle avoid relegation to League Two.

But we understand they are preparing to test United’s resolve to hold onto the former Crewe player with an offer in the coming days.

United boss Greg Abbott refused to confirm or deny whether Colchester boss Paul Lambert had contacted him about Williams.

But Abbott will be keen to avoid the disrupting effect of losing such a key player ahead of the 2009/10 campaign. The Blues boss recently recruited Workington Reds’ Adam Collin to compete with Williams for a first-team place.

But Williams is unquestionably the man in possession and would be expected to be first-choice for United’s opening game of the season against Brentford on August 8.

Lambert swooped for popular winger Hackney in the January transfer window, having an initial five-figure bid rejected before returning with a successful £105,000 offer.

The Scottish manager already has Dean Gerken and Mark Cousins as his senior shot-stoppers, but believes Williams has the ability to help the Us’ promotion bid in 2009/10.

Colchester clearly have money to spend, having recently tabled a £250,000 offer for Shrewsbury’s Carlisle-born striker Grant Holt.

And with United’s financial difficulties well known, Lambert feels he may be able to make the Cumbrians an offer they are unable to refuse for Williams.

The ‘keeper, who joined the club last summer, lost his place to loanees Ben Alnwick and Tim Krul after a series of costly mistakes, but earned a reprieve when Krul was recalled by parent club Newcastle in January.

And the former Crewe player’s form improved dramatically in the closing months of the season, including a spectacular performance in Carlisle’s 2-2 draw at champions Leicester.

Williams and the rest of the United squad are due to return for pre-season training on Wednesday, by which time Abbott hopes to have added Hartlepool left-winger Matty Robson and an unnamed striker to his ranks.

Ironically, the Blues are then scheduled to spend a week in Colchester for a training camp from Monday, July 13 to Saturday, July 18.

• United have agreed to a request from Bristol Rovers to bring forward their League One clash at Brunton Park from Saturday, April 3 to Friday, April 2.

Both clubs have long trips on Easter Monday – Carlisle go to Charlton – and the move gives United and the Pirates extra recovery and preparation time.

First published at 09:02, Saturday, 27 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk