Bridges was tipped for an England call-up earlier in his career

Striker Michael Bridges has rejoined Carlisle United on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Hull.

The 29-year-old forward scored 15 goals in 30 league appearances with the Cumbrians before joining the Tigers in August 2006 for �350,000.

"I've been speaking to Michael for two or three weeks now," Carlisle manager John Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We're delighted and I know Michael is delighted to be back in a Carlisle shirt once again."

Bridges began his career as a trainee with Sunderland, scoring 16 goals in 79 appearances for the Black Cats before a �5m move to Leeds United in July 1999.

The North Shields-born forward made an impressive start to his career at Elland Road, scoring a hat-trick at Southampton in only his second appearance.

We've brought him in on a season-long loan initially and then we'll see how it goes after that Carlisle manager John Ward

However, Bridges' career stalled in October 2000 when injury ruled him out for the best part of two years.

The player, capped at England Under-21 level, was loaned to Newcastle United before a move to Bolton Wanderers in June 2004.

Subsequent moves to his former club Sunderland and Bristol City followed before Paul Simpson brought Bridges to Brunton Park on loan in November 2005 - a move which was made permanent three months later.

He formed a successful partnership with Karl Hawley to help fire the Cumbrians to the League Two title in 2006/07 before his move to East Yorkshire the following season.

However, Bridges has found himself out-of-favour at the KC Stadium and was loaned to Australian side Sydney FC last season.

"We've brought him in on a season-long loan initially and then we'll see how it goes after that," Ward said.

"He's perhaps got some catching up to do in terms of first-team football but we have three more games to go before the start of the season and I'm sure Michael will quickly get up to speed by that time."

Bridges' current contract with Hull ends next summer, after which Carlisle have first option on signing the player.