Swinglehurst heading north

Carlisle's teenage defender Steve Swinglehurst has joined Scottish League side Annan Athletic on-loan until the end of the season.

Swinglehurst, 19, joins Cumbrians team-mate Ben McKenna at Annan, who are hoping to win promotion from the Third Division this season. Carlisle manager Greg Abbott told the club's official website: "The reasons behind sending Steve out are almost the same as what we've done with Ben. "He's had his knee injury and operation, which has held him back this season and he now needs games at a competitive level. "This gives him the chance to get that at a place where we can keep an eye on him and monitor his progress closely." Swinglehurst signed his first professional contract with Carlisle last summer after progressing through the youth ranks.