Press article:

Glad to play football - 05/08/2005

First team football is what I want

Links:  Managers:    Sir Bobby Robson    Graeme Souness  Clubs:    Newcastle United    Carlisle United

JAMIE McCLEN has been told to put his Newcastle United nightmare behind him after being placed on stand-by for Carlisle United’s vital opener against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Boss Paul Simpson has offered the central midfielder a six-month deal after being impressed with the 26-year-old during a month’s trial at Brunton Park.

McClen made 15 appearances at Newcastle under Ruud Gullit but fell out of favour with the Dutchman’s successors Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness.

Simpson is hoping McClen can rediscover his appetite for football after becoming disillusioned with the game after being frozen out of the first-team picture at St James’ Park.

Paul Weller has had his trial extended at Carlisle as he continues to improve his fitness to press his claims for a deal, but Ukrainian Dmytro Pronevych has been released.

“I’ve been talking to Jamie over the last couple of days to see if we can get him signed on a short deal.

“I want to keep looking at him as I think he’s a good footballer. He’s lively, has plenty of ability and can pick a pass.

“He has had two-and-a-half years where he lost faith because of the situation at Newcastle He needs to get back to enjoying football which he has done here.

“He fell out of favour with managers at Newcastle as Sir Bobby and Graeme Souness came in and neither fancied him.”

Weller is not in the frame for a place in Saturday’s squad to face Wycombe as Simpson feels the former Burnley star is still not fully match-fit.

“I want Paul to stay with us a bit longer as we both feel he’s not fully fit after all the time he’s had out of the game,” said Simpson.

Cumbrian online

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