By Jon Colman

Last updated at 08:09, Friday, 09 May 2008

CARLISLE United manager John Ward insists he does not expect his players to target controversial Leeds defender Paul Huntington in next week’s play-off clashes.

Paul Huntington taunts the Carlisle fans at Elland Road

Carlisle-born Huntington infuriated travelling Blues fans during the 3-2 defeat at Elland Road last month with offensive gestures, and is likely to receive a hostile reception at Brunton Park for Thursday’s second leg.

But Ward is adamant his players will not be seeking any personal retribution on the former Trinity School boy.

“That would go beyond what we are about,” said the United boss. “I would like to think we have got high standards and we try to stick to them.

“I won’t be encouraging anything like that. The young man apologised for what he did and I, on behalf of the football club, accepted that. I hope everybody else does the same.”

Ward has Danny Livesey back from suspension on Monday and the centre-half will replace rookie Darren Campion in the back four at Elland Road. Paul Arnison will continue at right-back while David Raven serves the final game of his three-match ban.

But Cumbrian Paul Reid has ended his loan spell with the Blues from Barnsley after failing to recover from an ankle injury in time to be involved against Leeds. Reid is keen to return to Brunton Park permanently for next season.

Midfielder Jeff Smith returned to full training yesterday and Ward said the ex-Port Vale man has an outside chance of being involved next Thursday.

Leeds, meanwhile, still have concerns over the fitness of former United loan striker Jermaine Beckford, who has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Boss Gary McAllister remains hopeful the Leeds top scorer can get through Monday’s game in tandem with Crystal Palace loan man Dougie Freedman, who scored twice in the two clubs’ Elland Road clash on April 12.

“Leeds have got the squad to deal with Beckford being out,” said Ward. “There are too many options for me to name, and that is the challenge facing us.

“I see it as a David v Goliath game. If Leeds had got the points they have won on the pitch, they would be in the Championship by now. If we can beat them over two legs, it would be a big feather in our caps.

“We have to play better than we have done in recent weeks, and I think that is possible.” Next Thursday will also see former United manager Neil McDonald – now first-team coach with Leeds – return to Brunton Park for the first time since his controversial sacking last August.

Tickets are still on sale for both legs and United say they are confident of preventing travelling Leeds fans from infiltrating the home stands at Brunton Park.

On police advice, the Blues are not selling tickets to anyone who has not previously bought tickets from the club, or who does not have proof of residency within the Cumbria postcode. Fans must buy their second-leg tickets before noon on the day of the game.

The Football League takes 50% of the total gate receipts from both the United v Leeds and Doncaster v Southend semi-final ties, with the remainder being shared equally between the four clubs.

Stephen Hindmarch, the highly-rated teenage midfielder released by Carlisle last week due to concerns over his attitude, is understood to be in discussions with Shrewsbury, who are managed by former Carlisle boss Paul Simpson.

n United play-offs revisited, picture special – Page 35.

First published at 05:24, Friday, 09 May 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk