United-loanee winger Ben Marshall (BM) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's James Phillips (JP) this evening, Marshall first talking about his season-ending injury at Wembley :
JP
Wembley must have been a strange day for you, celebrating with your friends while probably aware that you were quite badly injured?
BM
Yeah, it was, but at the time I didn't realise how bad the injury was. At half-time I was upset but we won it so it made up for it really.
JP
You say you didn't know that it wasn't perhaps as bad as it was, we will ask you about what sort of an injury it was, but you actually tried to get back up, you wanted to play on didn't you? You really didn't know how serious it was?
BM
No, I knew that something was up but obviously your first impression is that you just want to get up and carry on in any game, but especially when you are playing at Wembley you don't want to come off injured. But, I knew something was up and I tried but I couldn't carry on.
JP
For those who perhaps aren't aware, what exactly is it that you have done?
BM
I have broken my fibula and actually dislocated another bone as well, so I have to have two operations. I had one yesterday so it has been quite hard and I have been in a lot of pain, so hopefully I can get back and be alright.
JP
That is exactly the hope and I am sure you will, you have got time on your side at least for that one. What did you make of the tackle by Adam Reed at the time and perhaps later when you have managed to look back at it?
BM
It was a nasty tackle but I don't think he intended to break a bone, but it was one of those things, if I had done it I wouldn't expect him to think I had done it on purpose. I haven't got anything against him, it is just one of those things at the end of the day.
JP
It is good to hear, looking at him you could tell that he didn't mean to injure you but it still didn't make the tackle look any better. Have you got any idea on when you are expected to be back playing?
BM
It is quite good timing, about 12 weeks, well it has already been a couple. I should be back just in time for pre-season but I have got to go in to Stoke over the summer and get my strength back in my legs, my right leg with being on crutches, so there is not going to be much moving about.
JP
And all that you can do at the moment is sit at home and play on your games console and just let it heal?
BM
Yeah, that is what I have been doing, I did it for a week last week and I had my operation yesterday. So, I have got to have another week off and put my foot up, I know it sounds nice but it isn't, I would rather be out kicking a ball about.
JP
Yeah, you would rather be out with the team, have you had any contact from Adam Reed by the way since that moment at Wembley?
BM
I saw him after the game and he just said sorry about it, so I just accepted it and got on with it.
JP
What about your future? I was just going to say, has Tony Pulis spoken to you about next season yet?
BM
No, I saw him when I went back into Stoke after Wembley and he rang me today. We are basically just going to see once this gets sorted, going to obviously get fit again and see where I go from there. But, he sounds quite confident, if I get myself fit and I look right then he might give me a chance, but you have just got to see what happens and hopefully my main priority is just getting back right to how I was, and hopefully I will get a chance.
JP
There is a sort of a split of opinion at the moment with Carlisle fans, who all of them wish you the absolute best and really do hope you can make it with Stoke in the Premier League, but on the other hand they are maybe hoping that you will have one more season with the club. It must be a funny one for you to know which way to turn at the moment?
BM
it is weird, because I have spent nearly a season and a half and I have loved it, but I have got to....... It is like anyone, you have got to try and progress and hopefully I can progress in a higher level, hopefully. But, you never know what it is around the corner and there could be a chance that I have to go back and play for Carlisle, which I would love to. But, you have just got to wait and see what your options are first.
JP
Of course, they would love to have you though, I think there is even a twitter campaign to get you back at Brunton Park. What have been your fondest memories over this 18 months or so you have been playing with the Cumbrians?
BM
Just been enjoying going into training knowing that you are going to be playing every week on Saturday has been one of the best things. Obviously, Wembley has been a big thing for me and it just everything really, I have not really got any downpoints. I have just really enjoyed it and how much Carlisle and the manager (Greg Abbott) and the players have helped me progress, it is all down to them at the end of the day.
JP
I was going to ask you about that, how much do you think you have come on as a player from somebody who had played a few games in reserve and League Two football coming here, to somebody who has played in relatively major finals now and really starting to make a name for yourself?
BM
That is what I mean, that is only down to playing games and getting my confidence up. I wouldn't have been able to do that and I am glad that Greg brought me in and gave me a chance and now I can go and progress hopefully.
JP
We do hope that you do make it as a Premier League players, but if Tony Pulis said to you when you got back in pre-season, look, go back out somewhere on loan and get our fitness up and Carlisle came knocking, would you jump at the chance?
BM
I would obviously consider it because I have got to see what my options are, but Carlisle have been great to me and the fans have been great as well as all the players and the staff, I love it. It might not be next season, it could be a couple of seasons down the line, it is always there for me and I know it is a good club.
JP
If this is goodbye though, what would you like to say to the fans, many of whom, especially the younger ones, now idolise you?
BM
I would just like to say thanks for everything and thanks for supporting me through everything. You have made my time feel welcome and I am really pleased that I have managed to show people what I can do. I just hope that the club pushes forward, not only for the players but for the fans as well.