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Welsh, after making his Premiersip debut against Arsenal in October 2003 would go on to make just three starts and seven substitute appearances at Anfield before joining Hull City on a season-long loan deal in August 2005. The Tigers management being so impressed with the midfielder that in November they agreed a swap deal with Liverpool that would see them get both Welsh and up to £1.5 million in return for talented winger Paul Anderson, the permanent transfer taking place in January 2006.
In his first season at Hull the 24-year old made 30 starts, three substitute appearances and scored three goals, the following campaign seeing him make 11 more starts, ten further appearances from the bench and score one more goal. Disaster was to strike in early March 2007 though when, against Preston, he fractured both the tibia and fibia in his right leg in a tackle with former Liverpool team-mate Neil Mellor.
A long spell of rehabilitation then followed before he was sent out to Chester City on loan in January 2008 in order to gain some match fitness. Welsh understandably unable on his Tigers return, after making six starts with the Deva Stadium outfit, to force his way back into a Hull side that swept all before them in the latter stages of the 2007-08 season on their way to play-off final glory at Wembley, Welsh only making the Tigers bench once in the current campaign in a Carling Cup tie as the impressive form of the Humbersiders continues.
Internationally the tough tackling midfielder was mainly used a substitute for the England under-21 side in his younger days, Welsh actually captaining the Football League under-21 team at his home KC Stadium against their Italian Serie B counterparts. John, after representing England under-20s in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, going on to make three starts, five substitute appearances and score one goal for England under-21s before falling out of the age range.
As far as Carlisle are concerned Welsh comes into a Cumbrians side that has now lost seven out of their last eight league games while conceding a horrendous 20 goals in the process. With Hartlepool coming to Brunton Park tomorrow night Welsh will no doubt go straight into the starting eleven for that game, although whether or not he will play many matches for United under the managerial reign of John Ward remains to be seen.
First Team Transfers 2008-09 : Click here