Grainger links up with Carlisle United

Last updated at 11:53, Saturday, 06 July 2013

Cumbrian defender Danny Grainger will link up with Carlisle United for pre-season training next week.

The left-back, a free agent after leaving Hearts, has been invited to join the Blues’ squad on Monday.

And target Lewis Guy is also likely to return to Carlisle next week after having his contract with St Mirren cancelled.

United insist that 26-year-old Grainger is not joining on a trial basis and will only be with the club as a favour. But with Carlisle currently seeking a left-back in the absence of injured Chris Chantler, the possibility of a deal for Grainger cannot be discounted.

The former Gretna man, from Eamont Bridge, was at Frenchfield Park last night to watch United’s 1-0 friendly victory against Penrith.

Grainger, who was recently training with the Blues’ League One rivals Sheffield United, spoke at length to manager Greg Abbott before the game.

He played for the Blades in their friendly at Greenock Morton on Wednesday but manager David Weir has opted not to sign the defender.

Guy, meanwhile, is now a free agent after his contract with St Mirren was terminated by mutual consent.

The Penrith-born striker had returned to Paisley to thrash out his future with boss Danny Lennon, after starting pre-season with Carlisle.

United expect the 27-year-old to rejoin the club on Monday and Guy could feature in Tuesday’s friendly at Workington.

Assistant boss Graham Kavanagh has said that the Blues are keen on signing the ex-Doncaster man but United are keen to see Guy in action first.

There is a possibility he could be at today’s friendly at Kendal but the Borough Park game in three days’ time is more likely.