By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:15, Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Workington Reds target Matt Jansen will be teaming up with a former colleague but unfortunately it won’t be Darren Edmondson.

Matt Jansen misses a chance for Blackburn in 2001

The 31-year-old has agreed to join UniBond League One side Leigh Genesis, managed by former Blackburn Rovers team-mate Gary Flitcroft.

Edmondson spoke at length to the former Carlisle United star last month but had to put negotiations on hold as the striker went away on a family holiday.

The Reds boss had hoped to seal the deal when he returned but the move is dead in the water with Jansen agreeing a player/coach role at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

A host of clubs, including home-town team Carlisle, had looked at the striker with Blues boss Greg Abbott insisting the door was still open for the troubled hitman.

Jansen spent parts of last season with Blue Square Premier side Wrexham, scoring once in his three game spell.

The Welsh side offered him a one-year deal but Jansen recently admitted he needed a fresh start after suffering a crisis of confidence.

Jansen’s problems stem from the trauma of motorcycle crash while on holiday in Rome in 2002 in which he suffered serious head injuries and was left in a coma.

After failed attempts at a comeback with Bolton and Coventry City, the striker, who was on the cusp of an England place for the 2002 World Cup before his accident, trained at Carlisle two years ago.

Edmondson has already netted two of his summer targets with winger Matt Henney and striker Stephen Hindmarch both agreeing to move to Borough Park.

The Reds boss is still keeping tabs on keeper Tony Caig but he faces a battle to sign to the shot-stopper from Carlisle.

With keeper coach Dave Timmins moving to Shrewsbury last week, Caig admitted he was interested in taking up the vacant position at Brunton Park.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk