Carlisle could move for Town striker Billy Clarke if current frontman Danny Graham moves on to Huddersfield during the transfer window. The Cumbrians have watched former Darlington loanee Clarke on a number of occasions this season, but manager Greg Abbott says no approach is imminent.
Huddersfield have already had a £250,000 bid for Graham turned down with a further offer expected, although Carlisle have denied reports of a new £350,000 proposal from the Terriers.
According to reports in the North-West, Clarke is seen as a potential replacement for Graham, although manager Abbott that as yet he is not looking at taking him to Brunton Park: "Billy is someone I know about and have seen quite a bit of.
"I have known him since he was 17 so you could say I have done four years' worth of homework on him. But he is not a player we are interested in at the moment.â€Â
Darlington are keen for Clarke to return on loan for the second half of the season but the Blues want to sort a permanent move for the Irish U21 international, who is out of contract in the summer, with the required fee beyond the Quakers. A number of other League One and League Two clubs are also thought to be interested in the Cork-born player.
Meanwhile, Town are one of a number of clubs linked with Chesterfield striker Jamie Ward. The striker's proposed £400,000 move to Barnsley recently fell through due to a disagreement regarding personal terms and the Tykes appear to have ended their interest. Various other clubs including Leeds, Derby, Sheffield United, Peterborough and Scunthorpe are also claimed to be chasing the diminutive frontman.