Carlisle United coach Keith Curle says he’s ready to reward red-hot Ghana international striker Derek Asamoah with a longer contact to stay at the English side.
Asamoah could be handed an 18-month deal at Brunton Park after his impressive arrival with five goals in six games, including one in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Dagenham.
United could face competition for the 33-year-old Ghanaian, whose short-term deal expires on January 4, after his eye-catching run of form, and Curle is keen to pin him down on a longer deal, but with incentives built into the contract to keep him on his toes.
The United manager will today hold talks with club chief John Nixon to thrash out his playing budget after admitting some players may have to be shipped out to make way for new arrivals.
Asamoah’s future will also be under discussion, along with extending loan deals for Anderson and Brown, who have impressed since their arrival on loan.
The latest round of contract talks come as the club waits to hear if youngsters Brad Potts, Kyle Dempsey and Mark Beck will sign new deals after they were given a deadline of tomorrow to agree new terms.
Curle, who will cast an eye over five trialists during a friendly with Burnley this afternoon, said: “It will be the end of the season minimum with Derek and, if he keeps on scoring goals and perform in a number of games, there will be the option to keep him for another year as well.
“Would Derek like to stay for longer? Yes. Is Derek happy and content because he’s playing and scoring goals? Yes.
“I know for a fact that if I offer Derek too long a contract he won’t score goals because then he becomes comfortable.
“We will try to offer Derek a longer contract but have incentives with achievable targets that will keep him scoring, and keep that hunger and desire to score.â€