Cumbrians keen for Madine boost

Carlisle are hoping to get Gary Madine's prison curfew lifted so the striker can play in the club's final two games of the season.

Madine was forced to miss Monday's defeat at Peterborough because terms imposed following his early release from jail in February require him to be at home from 7pm. The 23-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in custody after being found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of two separate assaults in October, but served only four-and-a-half months. "We were aware of (the conditions) but not to this extent," said Carlisle manager Graham Kavanagh after Monday's 4-1 defeat left his side three points from safety in League One. "We were expecting to have him for the Peterborough game and all the others, except Crawley. "But there has been a shift in the reasons. We were told at weekends he was free until 9pm, but now it's 7pm. "That's something completely out of our hands. We have him for next Saturday and there is a conversation being had on Thursday. "I don't know if that will make a difference but hopefully it will." Madine could play his last game for Carlisle in Saturday's home game against Oldham. The Cumbrians then travel to Crawley and play Wolves at Molineux on the final day. The Gateshead-born forward returned to Carlisle, where he started his career, on loan in March after parent club Sheffield Wednesday opted not to terminate his contract.