Carlisle boss has sights on Scott Vernon

Jul 2 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SCOTT Vernon has emerged as a target for Carlisle United as the Cumbrians look to take the striker in part-exchange for goalkeeper Ben Williams.

Having admitted defeat in their bid to re-sign Michael Bridges, Carlisle have turned to Vernon as a replacement for Watford-bound Danny Graham.

They will use Colchester United’s interest in Williams to try to get him.

The 26-year-old has 61 goals in an Oldham Athletic, Blackpool and Colchester career which has produced 138 starts, plus 106 substitute appearances.

Speaking to The Journal about Paul Lambert’s interest in Williams earlier this week, Carlisle manager Greg Abbott warned, “It is not a straight-forward deal,” though he did add: “Something might develop this week.”

Vernon is out of favour at Layer Road and the Us appear confident an agreement can be reached after allowing former Darlington loanee Dean Gerken to join Bristol City. All Abbott would say was: “The fans will be pleased that what we are holding out for in this deal is something which will really benefit the club.”

Abbott had been hopeful of repeating history by turning a Bridges loan move to Carlisle into a permanent arrangement, but that now seems unlikely.

He confirmed: “Michael’s agent has been in touch with the club to say the offer we gave him was not acceptable. We have told his agent to put something on the table they think is acceptable, and we would discuss it at board level. But, at the minute, his agent has declined that.”