Carlisle United loanee's Manchester United FA Cup hopes end

The Carlisle United loan midfielder was a substitute in Eastleigh's third round replay against Newport County.

But Harris and his National League team-mates fell to a 3-1 defeat to their League Two visitors.

Newport duly set up a fourth round home tie against Man Utd after victory in Hampshire.

Harris came on in the 70th minute with Eastleigh trailing 2-1. Paul McCallum had by then cancelled out Aaron Wildig's Newport opener but James Clarke restored the Exiles' lead on the hour mark.

And the Welsh side clinched the tie when Will Evans struck in the 79th minute.

Had Eastleigh prevailed, Harris's involvement in a Man Utd tie would have depended on him extending his loan with the Spitfires.

Tuesday's game saw the 15th appearance of Harris's temporary spell away from United, with the midfielder now having one remaining game, against Oldham Athletic this weekend, before the end of his loan.

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson said he was awaiting Eastleigh's decision on whether they would like to extend the loan. He also said another club had enquired about the possibility of a move for Harris.

The 24-year-old has played plenty of first-team football at the Silverlake Stadium, with Harris scoring two goals in his time at Eastleigh.

A decision on Harris is pending at the same time United are looking at Max Kilsby after his recent return from a half-season loan spell with Annan Athletic.

Simpson said he wanted to assess the young defender in training and reserve games before a decision on any potential further loan this month.

United's other players currently out on loan are Kai Nugent, who is with Annan for the season, and Sam Hetherington, who is on a work experience youth loan with Workington Reds.

In the FA Cup, meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers' 2-1 replay defeat to Luton Town means the Trotters' game at Carlisle on January 27 will be played as scheduled.

A win for Ian Evatt's side last night would have seen their trip to Brunton Park rearranged.