Garner scored 14 goals in 30 appearances last season

Carlisle manager John Ward has admitted the club had to let striker Joe Garner join Nottingham Forest after the player requested a move to the City Ground.

The 20-year-old has joined Championship newcomers Forest in a �1.14m deal after just one season at Brunton Park, following his switch from Blackburn.

"I spoke to Joe last week and he indicated to me that he wanted to go," Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"He wants to further his career higher up and we can't deny him that."

Garner, a former England Under-19 international, joined Carlisle from Blackburn Rovers for a club record �140,000 in August 2007.

He scored 14 times in 30 appearances for the Cumbrians before suffering a serious cruciate knee ligament injury at Crewe in February which ended his season.

It's difficult to keep a player if he is being offered a four-year deal at a Championship club, which is something we can't offer him at the moment Carlisle manager John Ward

Last week, Carlisle revealed that Garner had a �1.14m release clause in his contract which paved the way for Forest, after having an initial bid of �500,000 turned down.

The deal also includes a �500,000 pay-out to Garner's former club Blackburn Rovers along with a 50% cut of sell-on fees.

"The club made the decision to go public with that," Ward said.

"Whether people think that was the right or wrong thing, we have let people know the strange things that sometimes go on in transfer deals and contracts.

"It's difficult to keep a player if he is being offered a four-year deal at a Championship club which is something we can't offer him at the moment."

Ward also confirmed that Carlisle will benefit if Garner is eventually sold on by the Championship club.

"There is a sell-on clause included," he said. "That's something we insisted upon and it's quite right we've done that."

Garner, who has signed a four-year contract at the City Ground, is unlikely to return from his injury until November.

Ward will now try to further strengthen his squad following the arrival of Michael Bridges on a season-long loan from Hull City this week.

"I'm still looking to add another face or two if I can," he said.

"The club have been very supportive but whether it is another striker or not remains to be seen."