Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson has ‘no plans’ to extend Luke Plange’s loan deal from Crystal Palace, as stated in an interview with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Plange joined the Cumbrians from Crystal Palace in the summer on a half-season loan deal with the potential to extend further, however it has today been announced that he is not in Simpson’s plans for the second half of the season.
The striker has hardly hit the ground running since moving up north, scoring just twice in 26 appearances across all competitions this season. Goals have been a huge problem for not only Plange but also the rest of the Carlisle team, scoring just 20 times in their opening 25 league games.
It seems likely that they’ll be an overhaul in the attacking ranks in January, with the first new addition already announced. The marquee signing of Luke Armstrong really showed the firepower of the new ownership and would also seemingly have pushed Plange further down the pecking order if he had stayed.
This is not the first time that the 21-year-old has had an unsuccessful loan spell in League One, having also turned out for Lincoln City last season. During that spell with the Imps, Plange’s numbers were extremely underwhelming and the striker would not yield a single goal contribution in 18 matches with Lincoln.
Having displayed plenty of promise during his time at Derby, Crystal Palace snapped the youngster up in 2022 for a reported seven-figure fee. However Plange is yet to reach the potential that he showed during his time at Derby and he is also yet to appear for the Eagles first team in any competition.
It is unknown what is best for Plange with the news that his loan-spell at Brunton Park will not be extended. Perhaps a move to League Two may get the best out of him but he does still have plenty to prove.
Now under new ownership, Carlisle’s chances of survival have greatly increased due to their bigger budget that will no doubt be flaunted in January. It seems like they can attract higher profile names than that of the 21-year-old now, and it is likely that another attacker will come through the doors of Brunton Park in January.
Writer’s View
There are some serious questions for Plange’s capabilities after disappointing loan spells at both Lincoln and most recently Carlisle. A change of scenery may help the youngster, but his next spell could very much be make or break.
As for Carlisle, they’ll be hoping that their performances in front of goal improve with new signing Armstrong joining the cohort. With Armstrong as well as the return of Joshua Kayode in the next couple of weeks, a new-look strike force seems likely, one which could lift them out of the relegation zone.
