Stevens, who spent four seasons at United, scoring over 50 goals in the process could well be in the starting line-up for Kevin Ratcliffe's men with top scorer Luke Rodgers an injury doubt. The 36-year-old veteran, who could be in his last season as a pro, joined Carlisle from the Shrews back in 1997 for £100,000. He was released in 1999 but was resigned by Ian Atkins a year later. Last season Stevo fell out of favour with Roddy Collins but the Dubliner realised his mistake in December when he recalled the striker to play up front alongside Richie Foran. Together they helped kick-start the revival in Carlisle's fortunes that saw them climb up the table after Christmas. However both United and Shrewsbury are struggling after poor starts to the season and the pressure will be on both teams tomorrow. Stevens may fancy his chances against a wobbly home defence that has conceded 23 goals in the league so far, the worst in the division. Rodgers has been linked to Premiership Southampton but Ratcliffe has scotched rumours that the injury this week was simply a ruse to keep him out of the action before a move to St. Marys Stadium. "There have been no offers whatsoever for Luke, not from Southampton, not from anyone. He is not training there like the rumours say and he has not been sold for £600,000 like people tell me," he said. A move for Rodgers would be off the cards until January as the Premiership is currently outside the transfer window which opens again in January. In the meantime, Roddy Collins will be relieved if Rodgers is out of action as it could allow his under-fire defenders to put together their first clean sheet since the August 24 goalless draw with Bristol Rovers. The Cumbrians could field a relatively unchanged side tomorrow with Ryan Baldacchino likely to return in place of injured Brendan McGill on the wing. Strikers Craig Farrell and John Sutton, who both made their debuts last week, should both keep their places. Richie Foran could be out until the FA Cup First Round in November following a successful operation on his broken cheekbone. It will be a rare chance for Roddy to get virtually the same XI out on the field two weeks running. With the Shrews out of form themselves and likely to be without their top scorer and hottest prospect, their is a genuine chance that Stevo's return will not be a happy one for the former favourite. UNITED 2-0 Shrews. Picture from News & Star |
