By John Fuller

Last updated at 10:27, Saturday, 19 July 2008

Carlisle United midfielder Chris Lumsdon has promised to bang in the goals this season or face a forfeit.

Crocked: Chris Lumsdon will have a scan

Lumsdon, 28, has set himself a target of five goals in this season’s push for promotion. If he is not successful then he and the rest of the United first team will get their kit off and pose for a topless calendar with the proceeds going to charity.

The former Sunderland trainee’s last goal came in a 2-0 home win against Blackpool on September 26, 2006, and he has vowed to find the net this campaign, ending his 22 month goal drought.

“Believe it or not I can actually remember my last goal,” Lumsdon joked.

“It was at the Petterill End of Brunton Park on a Tuesday night against Blackpool. I played a one-two with Karl Hawley in the box and smashed it into the net. I would love to say it was a 50-yard screamer but it wasn’t.

“It is always nice to score goals and I was disappointed not to get a couple last year especially with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson chipping in with a few. Saying that, most of his goals were either free-kicks or penalties so don’t count in my book. I have set myself a target this season to score five goals. If don’t reach it then I will get the lads together and we will do a topless calendar for charity.

“They will love it. Especially Kevin Gall, Jeff Smith and Peter Murphy, who are always in front of the mirror making themselves look pretty.”

Lumdson and the rest of the United first team are currently staying at the Glasgow Pond Hotel in Scotland as part of a week long training camp and all is going well according to the midfield ace.

“Training has been really good and we will be finished all the running soon. The lads can’t wait to get the footballs out to work on our ball skills,” he said.

“We all came back from our holidays fit and ready to start the new season. With the schedule John Ward and Greg Abbott have planned for us, we will be in top condition come kick off against Bristol Rovers next month.”

Youth team players Conor Tinnion and Dan Wordsworth have joined teen hot shot Gary Madine, who made the step up to the first team last season, on the training week.

Lumsdon said: “The young lads are quiet but I’m sure we will bring that out of them.

“They have fit in well and to be honest I hadn’t seen much of Conor or Dan before they joined us but I have been really impressed.

“Conor is quick and is a real talent and Dan is great defensively.”

United travel to Partick Thistle this afternoon (3pm) for their second pre-season friendly.

First published at 09:21, Saturday, 19 July 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk