Carlisle United goalkeeper Harry Lewis is set to join an unnamed League One club in the coming days.
Any move is subject to the Cumbrian outfit securing a replacement for the former Bradford City man, as the final days of the window are fast approaching.
The News & Star revealed Lewis had been subject to EFL interest earlier this week, and Carlisle boss Mark Hughes confirmed that a deal is close to being completed for the 28-year-old.
What’s The Latest?
Lewis has endured a difficult few years since playing under Hughes at Bradford. Ever-present for the Bantams in the 22/23 campaign, keeping 18 clean sheets, he made the mid-season transfer to Carlisle the following year. The move came after the Cumbrian outfit won promotion at Bradford’s expense, knocking the West Yorkshire side out of the League Two Play-Offs on the way to winning promotion.
But by this point, the Blues were struggling in the third tier, and the former Southampton man was helpless as they were relegated after just a year in League One. After a dismal start to the following campaign, conceding 28 times in 14 league matches, the 28-year-old lost his place in the side, a spot he never regained. Lewis played just one further game that season in the Vertu Trophy as Carlisle suffered back-to-back relegations.
This term, he has spent almost the entirety of the season on the bench. The Shrewsbury-born goalkeeper started FA Cup ties against third-tier opponents Reading and Blackpool. But they appear to be his last appearances at Brunton Park, with his gaffer Hughes providing an update on where any potential deal is.
“There’s a possibility that Harry Lewis may go out. It may happen in the next couple of days or it may be over the weekend. We’ll wait and see on that one but obviously we’ll make sure we’re covered before he’s allowed to leave.
“Credit to Harry – he’s been a really good professional not only in my time here but when we were together at Bradford. He conducts himself in a really exemplary fashion and that’s credit to him as an individual. It’s not easy for him to lose his place.”
Where Could Lewis End Up?
Currently, there’s not a lot to go on to see where Lewis will be spending the second half of the 25/26 season. One place it almost certainly won’t be is Leyton Orient, who are set to sign Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann on loan.
Mansfield Town are a possible destination. The Stags have just one senior keeper on the books, after loaning out Owen Mason to Southend United last week. Liam Roberts has played every minute of the Nottinghamshire outfit’s 26 League Two matches this term, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding 30 times.
It’s difficult to imagine Lewis becoming a first-choice goalkeeper once again, with his lack of gametime and being at a National League club likely to count against him. While there’s no doubting his previous talent and ability to perform in the EFL, he desperately needs some minutes to regain his confidence and get his career back up and running.