CHRIS Howarth is pushing for a starting place at Carlisle after being given the chance to secure a permanent deal at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Wanderers keeper has joined the Cumbrians on a month's loan as understudy to regular number one, Keiran Westwood He will be on the bench for this afternoon's League One game at home to Gillingham, but does not intend to just sit around.

"I was on a training camp with Keiren last summer and I have heard a lot of good things about him," Howarth said. "But I am here to push him for a place and hopefully I will get a game at some stage."

Carlisle boss Neil McDonald, who worked closely with Howarth during his time as Wanderers first team coach, will consider signing the Bolton youngster on a permament deal.

Howarth, who has previously had spells on loan at Stockport and Oldham, is in familiar company at Brunton Park, where his Reebok team-mate, American striker Johann Smith, is on loan for the rest of the season and where two other ex-Whites, Danny Livesey and Jeff Smith, are in the senior squad.

"It wasn't too hard to settle in because I knew a few of the lads from Bolton," he said.

"The manager was in charge of the reserve team at Bolton as well, so I played a few games under him and worked with him nearly every day. I know this is a good club that has been doing well over the last couple of years and I'm happy to be here."

Wanderers, meanwhile, could face competition from Celtic if they follow up their interest in Ross County youngster Graham Girvan.

The 16-year-old right-back has been offered a second trial at the Reebok. But, the Glasgow-born youngster has also been given a week to impress the management at Parkhead.

Ross County's director of football, George Adams, confirmed that Wanderers were one of the clubs interested in the talented teeneger.

"Everyone at Bolton was very impressed by Graham and they are keen to get a game arranged for him and take him back down for that," he said.

l Nostalgia will high on the agenda when former Wanderers favourites Syd Farrimond, Alex Smith and Dave Hatton are the guests of the Lancaster Whites next Wednesday.

The event, at the Greaves Hotel, Lancaster, starts at 7.30pm.