Manager Paul Simpson described this week’s injury update as ‘rubbish again’ as he confirmed this afternoon that there’ll be two enforced changes to the starting eleven from last weekend’s successful trip to Tranmere.
“I’m not going to say who they are, but it will become really evident when the team sheet goes in tomorrow,” he said. “The truth is I didn’t want to make any changes, but as I sit here at the moment there will be two, possibly three.
“I’ve just got to see how everybody reacts overnight. It’s disappointing but it’s been the story of our season so far, and we haven’t done badly, so whoever comes in has just got to go and take their opportunity.”
With Callum Guy having limped from the pitch with a groin problem last Saturday, we wondered if he was one of the two.
“I’m waiting to see on him,” he confirmed. “He’s trained towards the end of the week, but not fully, so we’re just going to have to see.
“He’s one who could make it three enforced changes, but I’m hoping he’ll be ok. He’s done some work towards the end of this week, but we’ll have to wait and see if he has a reaction to the work he’s done today.
“The other two that will definitely miss this game, I’ll give you no other information just yet. I really did want to be in the position where I could tell last week’s starters to go again, but that’s not going to be the case.
“I’ve just got to keep my fingers crossed overnight that it is only going to be the two. And with them two I’m hopeful that it isn’t long term and they’ll be available again for next Tuesday.”
On the better news, he commented: “We’ve got Jordan Gibson back and we’re starting to get other players back into the mix as well.
“Jamie Devitt has trained today but he needs a good week then we’ll probably try and get him a run out in the Cumberland Cup against Bransty.
“Ben Barclay is very close to being involved and Joel Senior is also probably going to join in training next week.
“We’re getting close to getting more players available, but for this week we’ve got a few missing and we’ve just got to take it on the chin and get on with it.
“Fin Back is available after being ill last week. He came back in on Tuesday and was still a little bit under the weather, but he’s trained fine the rest of this week.
“I’d have no hesitation in involving him. Same with Sonny Hilton, he hasn’t had match minutes but it’s a needs must situation and he could be involved with the group.
“He’s now had a full week of training down in Fulham and a full week back with us, so he’s back in the reckoning.”
“Apart from that there’s nobody else close just yet,” he added. “There are players getting closer, and I’ve heard other managers say this, but it just seems that you have a good performance and result then you get a setback with a few injuries.
“That’s exactly how I feel this week after the way we played at Tranmere. The good thing is that anybody who has been called upon has done a job, and that’s how I want it to continue.
“We have Ross the physio on his own working on all this with some part-time help and he’s doing a great job. Thankfully we’re in a good position because the players who come in wear the shirts with pride and represent us well.”
And he insisted again that it’s all part and parcel of the job and something the whole squad has to take in its stride.
“If I’ve got frustrations I’ve got to come and paint a smile on my face and deal with it,” he commented. “There’s no point in me being negative or pessimistic because that puts a downer on it for somebody who is getting a chance.
“I can assure everybody that is interested in Carlisle United that whoever is selected to play against Tranmere will be up for it and ready for it. We’ve got to give them a plan and hope they go and execute it.
“Every single player has stepped up when we’ve needed them and that’s what a squad is about. As a footballer you want to play, so if you aren’t in the first 11 you’re doing things every day to make sure when you do get thrown in you’re ready for it.
“Barring the Barrow game when we weren’t very good as a group, me included, I think it’s fair to say we’ve gone and performed in most games. That’s reflected in the league table, but we’re concentrating on the cup this weekend and I want to make sure we’re still in it.
“We’ve had a good training week; it’s given a chance to get a lot done on the training pitch. It makes it a lot calmer because you’re not rushing into a Tuesday night fixture in terms of preparations and selection, and looking at the opposition, and it all becomes a bit of a blur.
“It’s been steady, and we’re looking forward to what will be another very good game.”
He also confirmed that all of the loan players have bene given permission to play by their parent clubs, and that Jon Mellish’s one-game suspension is league specific, meaning he’s available for the weekend.