Extreme Football Forum  |  Football Forums  |  Blue Square Bet Premier League & Non League  |  Topic: Bridge-Wilkinson joins Darlington on loan

Darlington have extended the loan of Carlisle United midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson after a successful initial month at the Arena.

The 31-year-old has scored three goals in six appearances with the Quakers in Blue Square Bet Premier and FA Cup.

"Marc needed some first team football and he's been getting that at Darlington," Carlisle boss Greg Abbott told the club website.

"He's fitted in really well there and is proving a popular lad."

Abbott added: "It's a move that's benefited all parties involved and we're happy to extend the deal so he can continue to get regular football.

Prior to the end of the initial loan, Quakers boss Mark Cooper had outlined his plans to keep hold of the player.

"We're going to try everything we can [to keep him]," Cooper told BBC Tees.
 
"He might want to try to get into Carlisle's team, but hopefully we've done enough to persuade him to stay."

Bridge-Wilkinson has played more than 100 games for Carlisle in two spells but has been reduced to just four substitute appearances this season.

He was a member of the Cumbrians side that lost to Southampton in the 2010 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

The Coventry-born playmaker began his career at Derby County, before securing a permanent move to Port Vale, via a loan spell at Carlisle, in May 2000.

After four years in the Potteries, the schemer signed for Stockport and then Bradford, before returning to Cumbria in June 2007.