A look at some of the latest news and rumours from around Carlisle United’s division…

NEWPORT CHANCE FOR EX-CITY STAR

Newport County boss Graham Coughlan has not ruled out an unlikely move for ex-Manchester City star Wilfried Bony.

The 34-year-old former Swansea City man has been training with the Exiles and scored in a development friendly against Swindon Town last week.

Manager Coughlan, whose side are 18th in League Two, told the BBC: “Wilf is in the building, so in regards to the January transfer window, it wouldn't take any settling in. There is always a possibility.

"We've offered Wilf the use of the training facilities and he has been different class.”

SWINDON STAR’S CAREER FEAR

Experienced Swindon Town defender Mathieu Baudry is set for a lengthy spell out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Swindon Advertiser reports that the French player could be facing up to the end of more than just this season at the eighth-placed Robins.

“Unfortunately, this week I have done my ACL. So that’s my season finished, and at this stage of my career probably more,” he said.

“But at the moment my focus is on getting better and then we will see what happens.”

EXPERIENCED MIDFIELDER LEAVES STRUGGLERS

Mark Marshall is set to leave Crawley Town, the club have announced.

The 35-year-old ex-Charlton Athletic and Northampton Town man will depart at the end of his contract after 25 outings for the Red Devils.

“Everybody at Crawley Town Football Club would like to thank Mark for his commitment to the club and wishes him the best for the future,” a statement said.

COBBLERS BOSS EYES TOP TWO

Northampton Town manager Jon Brady – whose side host Carlisle United next weekend – is keen to further their automatic promotion aims over the winter period.

The third-placed Cobblers are five points above the play-off places.

And, speaking a week ahead of the Blues’ visit, he told the Chronicle and Echo: "I don't want to look at buffers to teams behind us.

"I want to look at what we do and I want to look ahead and up.”

DALE DEAL FOR MIDFIELDER

Fourth-bottom Rochdale have brought in midfielder Danny Lloyd on a short-term deal.

After leaving Gillingham in the summer, he has signed an initial month-long deal with Jim Bentley’s side.

Dale boss Jim Bentley told the club website: “He’s had a difficult time with his injury but worked extremely hard to get back to full fitness.

“He’s trained with us and looks in good shape. He’s sharp and I’m sure he can offer us something at the top end of the pitch.”

STRIKER EYED BY U’S

Crawley Town forward Tom Nichols is a target for Colchester United.

The former Peterborough United man has not figured in the Red Devils’ last two matchday squads.

Director of football Chris Galley, speaking about a player also linked with Bradford City, told SussexWorld: He said: “Last week, we received an offer and some strong interest for Tom Nichols and we, as an organisation that believes in a collaborative approach, felt that this was an unnecessary distraction for Matthew [Etherington]’s first game in charge.”

CURLE BREAKS AWAY DUCK

Keith Curle said Hartlepool United’s first away win since March was much needed.

A 2-0 victory at Crawley on Friday night moved the Monkey Hangers up to third bottom.

“Not just purely because of the opposition in the league, but as a football club we needed that,” Curle told the Hartlepool Mail.

“We needed the performance and we needed the result. The football club, the changing room, the staff, needed that performance after the embarrassment of being rolled over 5-0 [by Stockport County] at home last week.”