Carlisle United are delighted to announce that keeper Mark Howard has extended his stay at Brunton Park until the end of the current campaign.
Howard, 35, initially joined the Blues in October 2021 and has kept seven clean sheets in his 16 appearances in all competitions so far.
Manager Keith Millen said: “I’m really pleased that Mark has committed until the end of the season.
"He’d only arrived a couple of weeks before I did, but he’s shown his experience, which we need. He’s been consistent in his games and training. He talks around the place and passes on his experience, so I was keen for him to stay on.
“I’m pleased we’ve got it sorted and we can concentrate on the rest of the season. Him and Magnus are now fighting to be first choice.
"Magnus is getting fitter each week and it’s good that we’ve got keepers who are going to compete with each other.
“In Mark’s games I think it’s seven clean sheets - it’s obviously a whole team effort - but Mark has had a big impact on that.
"He’s made some important saves, you often find with experienced keepers they don’t have loads to do in games because of how they play, but when they’re called upon they’re ready.
"That comes with experience, and Mark has got plenty of that. He’s a calming influence so I’m delighted he’s staying with us because he’s enjoyed working with us.”
Londoner Howard started his career with Arsenal and spent a period on-loan with Falkirk during the early stages of his development.
He moved to Cardiff in 2006 and was loaned to local rivals Swansea City for the second half of the 2006/07 campaign. A move north of the border beckoned once again and he featured for both St Mirren and Aberdeen over a three-year stay.
Blackpool was his next port of call, but his career really took off when he teamed up with the Blades in January 2012. Over 100 appearances followed for the Bramall Lane outfit, before moves to Bolton and Blackpool brought another consistent run of appearances.
He played 35 games for Scunthorpe last season.
