Bridges targets Prem return
Carlisle striker Michael Bridges is confident he can still cut it in The Premiership.
Michael Bridges is confident he can still cut it in The Premiership after putting his career back on track at Carlisle United.The one-time England hopeful has endured a torrid past few seasons due to injury, which saw him reject a £1 million pay-out to retire.
The striker was released by Sunderland last summer and spent a fruitless spell at Bristol City before signing for Carlisle.
Bridges has scored five goals in eight appearances for the League Two outfit and has signed a deal until the summer of 2007.
His exploits with Carlisle have seen him linked with Aston Villa - managed by his former Leeds boss David O'Leary - and Blackburn Rovers.
Outlining the reasons for rejecting the insurance pay-out, Bridges also affirmed his belief that he is capable of playing Premiership football again.
"It was never about the money, but about getting back to playing," Bridges told The SP.
"When I got injured I was at Leeds and, with them being in the Champions League the season before, the insurance claim would have been substantial.
"I had surgeons telling me I'd never kick a football again and I was offered a pay-out that would have been just over £1 million.
"I don't think it was a risk turning the money down, though, because I just wanted to get back playing.
"I don't set myself goals with set times, but I do want to be playing in The Championship and Premiership again, and I know I have what it takes."
