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" It all sort of took off about a week ago now, I heard of a bit of interest and obviously knew a couple of the lads that were here. Bridgey (Michael Bridges) has obviously moved on but I've been good friends with Lummy (Chris Lumsdon) for, it sounds old, but ten years now. We did our YTS together at Sunderland, so it always helps when you know another player and I'm just really looking forward to getting the chance to come down.
" I haven't looked too much into the club but from the outside looking in then the last two years have been promotion, and they've started again well this year. So they haven't stood still, they've progressed each year, and again, standing fifth in the league as we speak so it's a good club to come to.
" Technically it is a loan and I'm still a Derby player so you never know what is going to happen in the future. All you can do is you do your best day and in day out though and if the new manager likes you or he doesn't then that is their decision, and those are the decisions they get paid to make. It didn't look as though when the season started that I was going to be playing a lot of games, so it was time to look around for a loan move.
" The lads have made feel me welcome, it's a lovely ground and a lovely pitch so I'm really just looking forward to getting started, trying to get myself in the team and playing some games. I've got no divine right to walk in the team though because the lads have been playing ever so well, I'll just get my head down, work hard and try and get some games.
" I would say that I am a holding midfield player, obviously I have played in a 4-4-2 but the system here by all accounts is three in the middle with the holding midfield player. Obviously I can play anywhere in midfield, in the middle if you like, I wouldn't classify myself as a tricky winger or anything like that but I'm a holding midfield player. You might see 20-yard shots but where they go is another thing.
" It's definitely difficult to set roots as a footballer, I think when I started out at Sunderland I was there nine years in total from the YTS. I think the first move away is the hard one but then after that I think you resign yourself to the fact that if it doesn't work out somewhere then it's the nature of the job that you have to move somewhere else. I think it's something that once you've done it a couple of times then you get used to it and if you have to do it you do it.
" I think getting back into the Premiership would have to everybody's aim, and that's what we're all in football to do – to play as high as we can. I just looked at Carlisle though, two back-to-back promotions and starting well again this season, the club does have a massive fanbase, it's a big club potentially, or is a big club, and everything just seems to be heading in the right direction. It just seemed a good club to come to in order to get back to playing football on a regular basis.
" I've just got things sorted and done today and I'm in the squad tomorrow whatever part that might be, it's just nice to get back on a matchday and be involved again in whatever shape or form. Hopefully as time progresses I can try and get some 90 minutes under my belt. The gaffer (Neil McDonald) was just saying this morning that there are some big games coming up and it's going to be a big test for the squad. Everybody is going to have to be ready to go and ready to play because of the amount of games, and the difficult games that are coming up, so yes I'm looking forward to it as is everyone else."