League Two latest: Fans protest, international hopes, illness concern

Some of the latest news and gossip from Carlisle United’s division…

SHRIMPS FANS’ PROTEST

Fans of Morecambe, plus the local MP, are preparing to protest against the club’s owner.

The Shrimps Trust are urging fans to protest both inside and outside their stadium at Saturday’s clash with Port Vale. Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge will attend.

It follows reported claims by owner Jason Whittingham that terms have been agreed on a sale of the club but that the interested party currently wishes to remain anonymous.

“We do not view Jason’s attempted stalling as a significant development,” said the Trust. “We believe nothing until confirmed by the EFL.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LOANEE BLOW

Chesterfield have been hit by an injury to Everton loan midfielder Jenson Metcalfe.

The 20-year-old has suffered a foot injury and confirmed that he would be out until the new year.

He joins a Spireites injury list which has recently included veteran former Carlisle midfielder Mike Jones, but he made his comeback in midweek amid an ongoing heel problem.

DONNY MAN IN INTERNATIONAL FRAME

Doncaster Rovers’ loanee Patrick Kelly is close to full international honours.

So says boss Grant McCann, who told the Doncaster Free Press that the West Ham United midfielder is in the Northern Ireland frame, having been in the Under-21 squad.

"He was actually on standby for the senior squad so that was a credit to him and his recent performances since he's been here and since he's come back from the under-21s," McCann said. “I'm sure he will play a lot of games for Northern Ireland because there's certainly a star player there for the future."

U’S EYE POKU WINDFALL

The impressive form of Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku could have significant benefits for his former club Colchester United.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that he expects to lose the attacker in a multi-million pound deal next summer.

The Gazette reports that Colchester, in 2021, sold Poku for a fee in the region of £250,000 with sell-on clauses that could soon deliver a significant windfall.

BANTAMS ON THE SPOT

Bradford City’s players will reveal more about themselves in their current tough spell, says boss Graham Alexander.

Back-to-back defeats have seen the Bantams drop out of the play-off places.

But Alexander, speaking via the Telegraph & Argus, said: “I believe the tough times are the biggest growth period for a group. That’s when you understand who you are sat next to in the changing room, who you are playing in front of or behind on the pitch.”

VALIANTS ‘FRUSTRATED’ BY ABUSE

Port Vale this week issued a statement expressing “anger and disappointment” after ejecting a supporter for homophobic abuse during their Bristol Street Motors Trophy game against Wrexham.

“After making our position as clear as possible just days ago - and later introducing a guide aimed at combatting this behaviour - we are also extremely frustrated to have to reiterate our zero-tolerance policy on abuse of any kind in these circumstances,” said the Valiants.

“Those found to have displayed abusive behaviour have no place at Port Vale and will - without exception - receive an indefinite ban from attending future matches.”

NEW ROLE FOR FORMER MANAGER

Gillingham have confirmed the arrival of Joe Dunne as their youth team manager.

The former Colchester United boss replaces Swindon Town-bound Mark Moss.

Dunne, a Gills player in the 1990s, told the club website: “It's great to be back where I started. It brings back a lot of good memories.”

ILLNESS CONCERN FOR DEFENDER

MK Dons defender Sam Sherring is awaiting the results of a blood test after falling ill.

MK boss Scott Lindsey said the centre-back has been in bed for about a week and has been “really poorly”.

“We've sent him to the doctor for some blood tests and we're waiting on the outcome,” he said, via the MK Citizen. “It could be a viral infection, but he has not been well at all.”