Carlisle United striker Joe Garner could be ruled out for up to nine months after suffering damaged knee ligaments.The 19-year-old had found the net 14 times in 30 starts for the Cumbrians before suffering the injury during in the first half of Tuesday night's 1-0 victory at Crewe, which an MRI scan confirmed was anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Garner will now visit a surgeon in Bingley to discover the full extent to the problem and whether he will require surgery.

Carlisle physio Neil Dalton told the club's official website: "The results show that the twist did cause some damage to the ACL, so we will refer him to our surgeon in Bingley for further advice.

"He will then decide whether the knee needs an operation or if some other form of rehabilitation will be more appropriate."

Meanwhile, 19-year-old defender Dan Kirkup has joined Workington on an initial one-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move after being told his future lies away from Brunton Park.

More Football News from TEAMtalk