A look at some of the latest news and gossip from around Carlisle United's division...

MONK ON ‘STABLE’ U’S

New Cambridge United boss Garry Monk says the “stability” behind the scenes tempted him to return to management at the Abbey Stadium after being out of the game since 2020.

“I’ve had opportunities to go back in during that period. What I was really conscious about was trying to find an opportunity, something that has got a bit of stability within the ownership – that has a plan in their mind of where they want to go, and a realistic plan as well,” said Monk via the Cambridge Independent.

“That’s very difficult to find in the landscape of football now. That’s been part of the reason why it’s been quite a while, but this came along and it married up to what I was thinking and what I was looking for.”

READING TAKEOVER HOPE

The man tasked with finding new owners for Reading hopes for good news by late spring.

Former chief executive Nigel Howe, now the Reading Property Projects Manager, has been asked by unpopular owner Dai Yongge to facilitate talks with interested parties.

He said one potential owner was “ahead of anybody else” and, speaking on the Battle and Bunce Podcast, said: "We set a target to do it by late spring, so March or April. I’m an optimist so I like to think we could deliver something by then.

"We are working as hard as we can to deliver the new owner."

BOLTON BOSS ON DOUBTERS

Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt says the Trotters’ promotion push gets extra inspiration from those who doubt them.

Evatt’s side are just outside the automatic promotion places in third ahead of their midweek clash with Barnsley.

And, speaking to The Bolton News, the manager said: “The doubters kind of inspire us. We keep our receipts, that is how it is.

“We know the challenge ahead of us.” Defender Eoin Toal, meanwhile, has signed a three-year contract extension at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

STRIKER TALKS AT COBBLERS

Northampton Town are in contract talks with frontman Louis Appere.

The Scot is one of a number of Cobblers players out of contract come the summer.

"We have started talks but in the meantime I’m just focused on the football and all of those things will take care of themselves,” the five-goal striker said in the Chronicle & Echo.

ASAMOAH JNR STARRING IN IRELAND

Fleetwood Town’s Maleace Asamoah, the son of former Carlisle United hero Derek, is impressing on loan in Ireland.

The 21-year-old is currently with Fleetwood’s partner club Waterford.

On Monday he was on the scoresheet with an impressive solo goal, and also claimed an assist in a man-of-the-match performance in Waterford’s 3-1 League of Ireland win over St Patrick’s Athletic.

POMPEY BOSS ON DECISION TO BENCH MOX

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho says he is trying to ease Owen Moxon gradually into first-XI life at Fratton Park.

After two recent starts the ex-Carlisle United star was a sub for Pompey’s 2-1 win over Oxford United, with Myles Peart-Harris preferred in midfield.

“Owen was probably a bit further along than where we envisioned him being with Tom Lowery’s injury,” Mousinho told The News.

“He’s come straight into the deep end of a side challenging at the top end of the league.

“I thought it was another week we could work with Owen and give him a breather.”

ORIENT OFFER DEFENDER ‘SECOND CHANCE’

Leyton Orient say new signing Jack Simpson deserves a “second chance”.

The defender, a free agent, was banned and fined after using racist language during a pre-season trip with previous club Cardiff City.

Chairman Nigel Travis said he and the board had discussed the issue and concluded the 27-year-old “deserves a second chance,”.

Simpson himself said: "I'm very grateful to Leyton Orient for giving me the opportunity to rebuild my career. I made a mistake last year, one that I only have myself to blame for and one that I will always regret.

"I stand against racism in all forms and that incident does not reflect my beliefs or my character.”

GOALSCORER BOOST FOR RAMS

Experienced goalscorer James Collins could be back in the nick of time to fire up Derby County’s promotion push.

That’s according to manager Paul Warne, who sounded an optimistic note on Collins’ return from injury.

"James is as keen as mustard, so I'm hoping he will be back by the end of March, which will take us into April in much better fettle,” Warne told The Derby Telegraph.