Abbott wary of old boy Vince (From Swindon Advertiser)

Abbott wary of old boy Vince

7:10am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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CARLISLE boss Greg Abbott hopes Vincent Pericard is left kicking his heels on the sidelines on Saturday.

The front man scored his first two goals for Swindon during Tuesday night’s win at Southampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but has struggled to command a regular place in the starting line-up since his switch from Brunton Park back in January.

And as Abbott knows only too well how much of a threat Pericard can be, he is crossing his fingers for the unlikely scenario of the 27-year-old being back on the bench.

“It will be lovely to see the big man,” said Abbott.

“I like him a lot as a person. The way he left, and the way we did it was full of respect for each other.

“I think he will enjoy coming back to see everybody. Everybody likes him and I think he will get a really good welcome.

“Vince is the type who can play up front on his own, so things can come from behind him. He is not going to run the channels, he has not got great pace, he has not got great energy, but he is a great focal point to base attacks on.

“Maybe with the way Swindon play he is not ideally suited to that style, and he has found it difficult. But he is still a handful. I wouldn't want him playing on Saturday and causing us problems with his strength and ability.”

Carlisle will be without long-term groin injury victim Danny Livesey, but striker Jason Price should be among the substitutes after shaking off a thigh problem.

Deadline day loan signing Lubomir Michalik will make his debut at centre-back, but fellow new recruit Ben Marshall will have to settle for a place on the bench.