Last updated at 12:07, Friday, 07 September 2012

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has revealed he offered no explanation to Adam Collin on why the keeper was axed after 146 games – and says Mark Gillespie is firmly in the frame to retain his place.

Greg Abbott

The Blues manager brought an end to Cumbrian goalkeeper Collin’s long run of first-team appearances this week, promoting 20-year-old Gillespie in his place.

The two glovemen are now going head-to-head for the right to be United’s first-choice keeper, with the place up for grabs in tomorrow’s derby clash at Hartlepool (Victoria Park, 3pm).

Gillespie, who had an impressive full debut in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Preston, is hoping to make his full league debut, while Collin is eyeing a quick recall. But Abbott said there was no reason for him to explain his midweek decision to Collin, who failed to start a Blues game for the first time since November 2009.

“I don’t explain outfield decisions, so I don’t see why I should explain goalkeeping ones,” the United manager said.

“What I want Adam – and Mark – to know is that we have to have two goalkeepers battling for the No.1 jersey, and we have that now.”

Youth team product Gillespie ended his long wait for a start in the Preston clash and although he was protected well by Carlisle’s defence, he impressed with his confidence and composure.

The young Geordie hopes he has done enough to be given a chance in League One when the Blues face Neale Cooper’s men in the north-east tomorrow.

Abbott said Tuesday’s cup exit, which saw Gillespie save a penalty in United’s 3-1 shootout defeat, did not test the keeper unduly but admits he was impressed with the 20-year-old nonetheless.

“Mark didn’t have to do much, but in everything he did he looked assured enough,” said the Blues manager.

“A couple of times he came out in the second half to smother the play, and he was sharp, right off his line.

“We didn’t find out a great deal because he wasn’t really tested, but we have found out that his temperament seems to be ok.

“Conceding an early goal might have rocked him but we protected the goal pretty well by and large.

“We needed to find out where he is. Pre-season friendlies don’t have the same pressure and meaning as proper games, and he seemed to come through fine.”

Abbott will be forced into more changes at Hartlepool tomorrow, as midfielder Liam Noble begins a three-match suspension following his red card for a foul on Preston’s Nicky Wroe on Tuesday.

Captain Paul Thirlwell is a likely replacement for Noble, while new loan signing Michael O’Halloran is also hoping for a first start.
 

In attack, Danny Cadamarteri is likely to return to the side in place of Paddy Madden, as Abbott prepares to go back into the loan market to add to his strike options.

United’s need for a greater goal threat was made more urgent by this week’s news that Lee Miller has had an operation on his injured ankle and is set to be out until the new year.

The Cumbrians will tomorrow be bidding to erase the memory of last season’s 4-0 thrashing at Victoria Park, when 17-year-old Luke James was Pools’ two-goal star.

Former Brunton Park favourites Paul Murray and Evan Horwood are set to start for Cooper’s side, while winger Jonathan Franks is fit to play after a bout of cramp in last weekend’s win over Scunthorpe.
 

First published at 12:04, Friday, 07 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk