Keogh confident of beating drop

Keogh is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain

Carlisle United defender Richard Keogh thinks United are good enough to fight off relegation to League Two.

Keogh has experience of winning a relegation battle, while on loan at Cheltenham last season.

"You've got to stay patient... keep working hard on the training ground and stay together as a close unit," Keogh told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"The squad we've got, the mentality we've got... it should be enough to see us through."

The Cumbrians lie just one point off the relegation places in League One.

Keogh, 22, moved to Brunton Park earlier this season on a two-year deal from Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.

It's a big challenge ahead for everyone at the club and it's a challenge I'm relishing

Richard Keogh

He spent the last few months of last season on-loan at Cheltenham, where he helped the club to League One safety.

"The league is very tight at the moment," Keogh said.

"Everyone is wondering where our next win is going to come from but after the performance on Saturday.... if we carrying on playing like that I'm sure we'll get the points we need."

Keogh was partnered by new signing Ian Harte in the centre of defence for Saturday's 1-1 home draw against fellow strugglers Northampton Town.

The result means the Cumbrians have now won just once in their last 10 games.

"I'm still a young player," the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said. "I think sometimes people forget how young I am.

"Playing alongside (Harte) gave me that kind of assurance you sometimes you need. It helped the whole back four through the game.

"It's not been easy... it's been chop and change. But suspensions and injuries are just something you have to get on with."

Keogh began his career as a trainee with Stoke City before spending a season in Iceland with Vikingur Reykjavik. He made the move to Ashton Gate in the summer of 2005.

He was a regular in City's 2006/07 promotion-winning side when he picked up the club's Young Player of the Year award.

He became captain of the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 side in October 2006 but found himself out-of-favour at Ashton Gate after turning down a new contract offer last year.

He also spent part of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town.

"I'd be telling a lie if I said I wasn't casting a bit of an eye at other results," Keogh said.

"But we've got to win the games and get the points we need. It's a big challenge ahead for everyone at the club and it's a challenge I'm relishing."