Hitman Karl Hawley has been causing mild panic through the lower divisions.

Now he has got his own club worried as the transfer window approaches.

Whisper it in the corridors of power at Carlisle's Brunton Park but Hawley, who has scored 50 goals in twoand- a-half years for the Cumbrians, could be bound for pastures new.

His contract expires next summer and the list of clubs believed to be ready to offer him a new home in the coming weeks includes goal-shy Wolves in the Championship.

Player and manager alike are saying little about whether Hawley will stay or go.

But the hardy few who trek to Sussex tomorrow will be hoping they are not about to see him in a Carlisle shirt for one of the last times.

Boss Neil McDonald saw his hitman score in a 2-1 defeat at sold-out Blackpool on Boxing Day and admitted: "We are desperate for him to stay.

"It would be great if he came out and said my future is at Carlisle United'. We are doing our best to secure his services."

Whatever happens in 2007, Carlisle will see Hawley as the man to tip the scales their way in a Withdean battle where something has got to give.

The Cumbrians have the worst away goalscoring record in League One.

But Albion have not kept a League clean sheet at Withdean since beating Gillingham in their first home game of the season.

Brentford's 4-1 capitulation to Millwall at Christmas at least means they have conceded more at home than Albion. But only by one.

Carlisle need to think about getting their own act in order on the road, having taken 26 of their 33 points at Brunton Park.

Despite their lack of away goals, and the fact their boss is a former assistant to Sam Allardyce, Carlisle have a reputation for playing attractive football.

McDonald, the former Everton and Newcastle midfielder, took over when Paul Simpson moved to Preston last summer after leading the Cumbrians to two successive promotions.

They operate a fluid 4-3-3 system and, standing two points and a place ahead of the Seagulls, believe they could make the play-offs.

McDonald is convinced there is reason to be hopeful of a result at Withdean.

He said: "We are creating chances away from home but we are not putting the ball in the back of the net."

Big Derek Holmes, formely of Bournemouth, will provide the bludgeon in attack while Hawley and Kevin Gall buzz around him.

Chris Billy, Neale McDermott and Chris Lumsdon are a very active midfield trio.

Carlisle are hopeful Kevin Gray gets over a knock suffered at Blackpool to take his place in the heart of the back four, though sidekick Peter Murphy is more of a doubt.

But it is Hawley, who has revived his career in the far north after being released by Walsall, who will take much of the attention.

He admits he is aware of transfer talk but said: "You can't think about that.

"If someone did make a bid then maybe it would get in your head a little bit.

"But once you get out on the pitch you can't have those things in your mind.

You've just got to concentrate on doing your job."