The 26-year-old forward is out of contract at the end of this season and the Cumbrians are hoping to persuade him to spend the next phase of his career at Brunton Park. But City manager Rush, who took over the reigns at the Deva Stadium a few weeks ago, wants to keep the player whose goals gave his side the Conference title last season. "I want to hold on to Daryl," Rush told the News & Star today. "We'll do everything we can to keep him. I hope to sit down and talk to him about a new deal this week and I know the chairman (Stephen Vaughan) wants to do the same." United boss Paul Simpson has been in talks with Vaughan and is hopeful he will be allowed access to the player to offer him terms. Clare has not been a regular in the Chester side this season although he did feature in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient. He has been the most prolific striker in the Conference during the past few seasons, poaching 73 goals for Boston United and Chester, helping both clubs to reach the Football League. Boston have also expressed an interest in getting Clare back, but Simpson says he will not be worrying over any potential competition for his signature. "Chester haven't given me a decision yet on whether I can speak to Daryl but although we have made enquiries about the player, we have not made any offer at this stage," he said. Simpson's claims do not tally with those of Chester supremo Vaughan, who said that the Cumbrians had tabled a "substantial" offer for Clare in the past week. Clare came within an inch of joining Carlisle in 2001 when former manager Ian Atkins had him up to Brunton Park for talks. A deal was agreed but fell through after United's board of directors failed to come up with the cash to sign him. Atkins left the club a few days later. Picture from News & Star |
