11:00am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Jonathan Waldron
Colchester United have been issued an ultimatum over the signing of goalkeeper Ben Williams.
Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott wants the proposed deal for the U’s to sign Williams - which also involves Colchester striker Scott Vernon moving in the opposite direction - to be completed by the end of today.
It is understood that Vernon will move to Brunton Park as part of the transfer, with Williams joining the U’s, who will pay a nominal fee for the goalkeeper.
However, Carlisle want any transfer completed soon - or risk it falling through completely.
Abbott said: “I have put a bit of pressure on Colchester for the deal to happen.
“We weren’t too bothered at the start, because Ben has done terrifically well for us.
“But we think the deal as it stands is a good one for the club.
“If it hasn’t gone through by the end of Friday, we might end up calling it off.
“That will enable us to do something else, which is based on work that has been done on the back of that deal happening.”
Abbott also confirmed that Vernon is a player he has admired for some time.
He added: “He is the type we have been looking for, and regardless of the Ben situation, we might have made an offer for him.
“He has been watched three or four times and he has a good record at Championship and League One level.”
The U’s were unavailable for comment on the potential transfer.
Colchester will embark on their second day of pre-season training today.
The U’s reported back from their summer break yesterday at Five Lakes.
Sports scientist David Carolan said: “It went fantastically well.
“All of the boys reported back in good fettle and the effort they put in was excellent, on a very hot day.
“But there is plenty of hard work still to be done.”
Former Colchester United goalkeeper Aidan Davison has been appointed as Hull City’s new reserve team manager.
The 41-year-old, who left his role as U’s goalkeeper coach last year to move to America, has linked up again with Tigers boss Phil Brown, his former Bolton Wanderers team-mate.
Davison, who replaces Trevor Morgan in the role at the KC Stadium, made more than 100 league and cup appearances for Colchester, during a four-year playing stint with the club.
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