Last updated at 13:29, Monday, 14 December 2009

Vincent Pericard today claimed it would take a massive offer to prise him away from Carlisle United and the challenge of blasting the Blues into the play-offs.

Pericard scored his sixth goal for the Cumbrians in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wycombe which took Greg Abbott’s side up a place to 11th in League One.

And the big French striker, whose deal runs out on January 12, gave the boss fresh encouragement that he will sign a longer deal at Brunton Park.

“From Saturday, I can say it is going to take a lot for another team to make me an offer I can’t refuse,” said Pericard.

“I am happy here. And the challenge of starting near the bottom and getting to the play-offs is really something.”

Carlisle were languishing in 19th place when Pericard arrived in October but have since surged into the top half.

Their victory over the Chairboys, in front of 4,528 fans, saw the Cumbrians extend their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Pericard, whose agent is expected to resume talks with Abbott this week amid rumours of interest from Championship clubs, played through the pain barrier on Saturday after having an injection in his Achilles.

Abbott said the jab was needed to clear up inflammation and the striker would not need any further treatment on the problem this season.

The former Juventus, Portsmouth and Stoke man admitted he should have had a hat-trick against Wycombe but said the victory was all-important.

“We are staying in the habit of winning, which is important,” said Pericard.

“The way we have turned it around is very good for the manager – he has been a big part of the way we have been playing.

“Now we are not looking below us in the table, we are looking at who is above us and how far away they are.”

Pericard headed Saturday’s 45th minute winner from an Ian Harte free-kick but insisted the goal was not the result of endless training ground practice.

“With the quality of Hartey’s left foot, you know more likely than not that the ball is going to come to you,” he said.

“It was the perfect free-kick and it is something the players have worked on for years and years. I like getting into those positions – I did exactly the same at MK Dons – but I haven’t worked on it too much because the quality of the delivery is so reliable.”

Wycombe boss Gary Waddock was also quick to identify Harte’s dead-ball delivery as the difference between the two sides.

“My first thought was that the decision to give the free-kick was disappointing, but when you have got someone like Ian Harte in your side, he is always going to cause a problem,” said the Chairboys’ manager.

“We had a lot of possession and got into the final third, but lacked that bit extra. Carlisle’s delivery from free-kicks from a good player has won them the game.”

First published at 11:23, Monday, 14 December 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk