>From The Cumberland News, Monday 28th May 2007

Carlisle United are hoping to stage one of the biggest pre-season
friendlies in their history by welcoming Premier League giants
Newcastle United to Brunton Park this summer.

The Blues had provisionally arranged to play the Magpies at St James'
Park on Saturday July 21 in a double-header with League One new boys
Hartlepool.

United would have kicked off against a Newcastle XI at 6pm after the
rest of Toon's split squad had taken on Hartlepool at 4pm.

The twin set-up was arranged by Glenn Roeder before his exit from
Newcastle at the end of the season.

And it has now been thrown into doubt since the arrival of new
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce, who is still drawing up his pre-
season plans.

But News & Star Sport can reveal that talks are now taking place
between Newcastle and Carlisle over saving the fixture between the two
clubs.

And one option being discussed is to switch the game to Brunton Park,
where a big Geordie following would help attract a bumper attendance.

England striker Michael Owen tops the list of big names Newcastle
could field, along with the summer signings Allardyce is expected to
bring in.

No-one was available to comment today at either club but the Blues
have left the date free in their pre-season programme in case the game
gets the go-ahead. Ironically, Carlisle manager Neil McDonald has been
linked with the number two post at Newcastle, having been a coach with
Allardyce at Bolton.