He is without his entire first-choice midfield for most of the remainder of the campaign and is unable to bring any new players in because of the continuing transfer embargo. Injuries have robbed the Irishman of Stuart Whitehead, Brendan McGill and Steve Soley whilst Stuart Green has returned to Newcastle United after spending three months on loan at Brunton Park. United have now taken the drastic step of registering assistant manager John Cunningham as a player to cover against further injuries during the run-in. The Cumbrians still require 7 points from their remaining eight games to be sure of retaining their league status. An inexperienced side has lost the last two games away to Scunthorpe United and at home to Hartlepool. United face Oxford on Saturday, managed by former boss Ian Atkins. The men from the Hassam Stadium are practically safe having reached 46 points last week with a 1-0 home win over Hull City. Bottom club Halifax have rallied with wins in their last two games over play-off chasing Kidderminster and Cheltenham Town. They are 11 points behind Carlisle who still have two games in hand. Prospective owner John Courtenay had agreed earlier this month to pay off the remainder of the PFA loan but Collins intervened and has refused to allow the money to be repaid until Courtenay successfully takes over. Talks between the millionaire Irish businessman and Michael Knighton resumed yesterday but neither side have made any comment. Courtenay had been reported as saying he hoped the deal would be completed within 24 hours but those hopes appear to have been dashed yet again. Collins said: "John gave me the money to pay it back. But I did not feel it was my responsibility to spend John Courtenay's money when he is not yet owner of the club. To be responsible, I thought I could not spend his money. "I am concerned about being able to put a team out with all the injuries we have and with the deadline coming up. I would be very concerned that, if I don't add to my squad, the remainder of the season would be out of my hands." The transfer deadline falls next Thursday and if Courtenay and Knighton fail to agree terms, the Cumbrians will not be able to strengthen their squad for the last few games. Collins will be hoping that United are safe from relegation by that date. To cap it all, the news that troubled media company ITV Digital want to renege on their £315m three-year contract with the Football League means United could lose up to £100,000 of TV money next season. The Cumbrians received £150,000 this season but under the terms of the new deal that ITV Digital bosses want to draw up, they would get only about a third of that over the next two years. The Football League say they are demanding that the television company pay the full amount and are considering court action. Picture from News & Star www.newsandstar.co.uk |
