A look at some of the latest news and gossip from across Carlisle’s division…

STRUGGLERS’ NEW BOSS SETS OUT STALL

Fleetwood Town manager Lee Johnson said his squad has a clean slate as a new era at the club begins.

Johnson was appointed this week as successor to Scott Brown at the club who have just one point from their first six games.

“When any new manager comes in, everyone gets a fresh slate,” said ex-Hibernian boss Johnson in a club interview.

“The squad are good, I’ve watched all the games, they’ve been unlucky in a few, and short in others, but there are signs there.”

RAMS STAR RULED OUT

One Derby County player who won’t be making the trip to Brunton Park on Saturday week is Liam Thompson.

The midfielder has suffered a torn quad muscle and will be out for eight weeks, report the Derby Telegraph following a fans’ forum.

Home-grown prospect Thompson, 21, started the Rams’ recent wins over Fleetwood Town and Peterborough United but is now out until later in the autumn.

NEW STADIUM PROGRESS

Oxford United’s bid for a new stadium has received a significant boost.

County council officers have recommended that the authority approves the use of land at The Triangle to build a new ground.

Oxford’s lease at their current home of the Kassam Stadium runs out in 2026. The Oxford Mail report that, should approval be confirmed at the council meeting on September 19, the club would still need the approval of Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority.

POSH EXPECT DEFENDER BIDS

Peterborough United are bracing themselves for more interest in star defender Ronnie Edwards in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old did not leave Posh, as had been widely expected, in the summer window.

But chairman Darragh MacAnthony, speaking on his Hard Truth podcast, anticipates renewed offers. “I’m not asking for £6 million, £8 million, £10 million... I’m being realistic, as we are a League One club,” said the Posh supremo.

GRECIANS PRODIGY IMPRESSES

Exeter City’s latest academy prodigy is catching the eye at just 16.

Jake Richards was handed his first start for the Grecians in their 2-1 home defeat to Leyton Orient at 16 years, one month and two days old.

He is not Exeter’s youngest-ever player – 15-year-old Ethan Ampadu holds that title – but manager Gary Caldwell has spoken glowingly about Richards’ prospects.

Speaking to DevonLive, Caldwell said: “He [Richards] trains and plays beyond his years. He doesn’t look like a 16-year-old, he shows maturity, and in a poor performance, he was one of the better players.”

GOALLESS ROBINS BOSS’ MESSAGE

Cheltenham Town, who are yet to score in League One this season, must keep battling to retain fans’ backing, says boss Wade Elliott.

The Robins have not found the net in six league games. “None of us are jumping through hoops with the goal thing or anything else,” boss Elliott told GloucestershireLive after their 4-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Bristol Rovers.

“The team got clapped off [the previous] Saturday because of the nature of the performance – we had a go, we were dogged and kept going. We dip below that, I’d accept people getting on our backs and being questioned.”

POMPEY TURN TO ACADEMY KID

A winger shortage has led Portsmouth to summon 17-year-old Koby Mottoh from their academy.

The News report that the teenager has been pulled out of the under-18s’ anniversary game against the Royal Artillery in order to join John Mousinho’s first-team ranks.

Mottoh is set to travel to Derby County with Portsmouth at a time Anthony Scully is out and Gavin Whyte is struggling with injury.

U’S MAN BACK FROM ACL ABSENCE

Cambridge United can call on Adam May again after his long-awaited return from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 25-year-old’s outing against Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy was his first since October 2022.

“I'm absolutely buzzing to be back out there and just want to keep going now. It's been really tough,” said the midfielder.

The 2-0 midweek defeat saw ex-Carlisle loan man John-Kymani Gordon make his first Cambridge start before he was replaced at half-time.

ROYALS ‘SADNESS’ OVER PLIGHT

Former Reading owner John Madejski has spoken of his “sadness” at the club’s current plight.

The Royals were recently deducted a point for failing to pay players on time, while there are protests against owner Dai Yongge.

"I think it is very sad," Madejski told BBC Radio Berkshire. "The fact that Mr Dai has put in over £300m to keep the show on the road and kept it going all through lockdown- which a lot of people have probably forgotten.

"It is not for the faint-hearted. Fans are deeply frustrated, we are all frustrated, but one would like to think that with the amount of players that we have got and the amount of talent we have got, we should start making progress in this division.”

PIRATES EYE STADIUM OPTIONS

Bristol Rovers are looking at alternatives in their search for a new stadium with a project at the city’s Fruit Market close to collapse.

Bristol Live report that long-standing talks have hit a barrier over the respective expectations for the site from the club and investment company Conygar.

The report adds: “The club are now understood to be exploring the possibility of further redeveloping the [Memorial Ground], while tentative talks have also been held with the YTL Corporation, who are behind the planned arena and 6,500 homes on the former Filton Airfield site.”

COBBLERS EYE TRIPLE BOOST

Northampton Town trio Ben Fox, Lee Burge and Ryan Haynes are getting closer to a return, says boss Jon Brady.

Fox and Haynes have yet to feature this season with Burge limited to one game because of injury.

"Foxy is back in training with the group and Burgey’s also been training with the group,” Brady told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. “Haynesy is also back in the fold but those guys are just building up and we need to strengthen them.”