Last updated at 13:59, Friday, 19 October 2012

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has called on the FA to stop punishing players for celebrating after it emerged Paul Thirlwell will miss tomorrow’s trip to Colchester through suspension.

Paul Thirlwell

The Blues captain was booked for joining in the exuberant celebrations of Joe Garner’s last-minute equaliser at Bury on Tuesday. It was the skipper’s fifth yellow card of the season, triggering an automatic one-match ban.

The suspension has left Abbott without another experienced player from an already depleted squad – and furious with a law he says must now be changed.

The United boss said: “To put it into context, in the tackle that broke Rory Loy’s leg [at Preston on Boxing Day], the offender [David Gray] got a yellow card. Paul Thirlwell celebrating a goal, which I think is the name of the game, got a yellow card and now he will be a massive miss. Are the FA going to wise up? Are they going to get a grip of this? Both get the same punishment? I can’t agree with that.”

Both Thirlwell and scorer Garner were booked in the chaotic scenes at Gigg Lane after United’s dramatic 90th minute leveller. The two players had hurdled the advertising boards behind the goal to celebrate with United’s travelling supporters at Gigg Lane before ref Mark Brown cautioned them.

Thirlwell’s ban will force Abbott into more selection changes in Essex tomorrow with the manager hoping Danny Cadamarteri can recover from a groin problem. Abbott said the striker is currently rated at “less than” 50-50 but he will give Cadamarteri every change to prove his fitness.

The United boss received one boost yesterday with youngster Brad Potts recovering quickly from a groin problem that forced him to be substituted in Wednesday’s Cumberland Cup victory over Longtown.

But Abbott – still without Lee Miller, Rory Loy and JP McGovern – said the loss of so many senior players means United’s supporters must rally around the team now that he is down to the bare bones for tomorrow’s game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“The squad is looking depleted at the moment,” he said.

“Times are tough and now is the time we need our fans. Let’s get behind the group and show the support they desperately need in a situation which is really tough.”

United are bidding to extend the impressive away form which has proved crucial in recent weeks as the Cumbrians have continued to struggle at Brunton Park.

The 13th-placed Blues have taken 10 points from their last four away games but Abbott insists it will be tough against Colchester, who have improved under new boss Joe Dunne since he replaced sacked former United manager John Ward.

Abbott continues to distance himself from the debate over United’s fluctuating fortunes at home and away. “I’m steering clear of that one,” he said. “I just want to play each game as it is and not put anything in my players’ heads other than we can get something out of the game whether it’s at home or away.

“We know we can beat most teams on our day.

“This will be totally different to the Bury game – Colchester will be going in with a bit of form and belief and it’s a nice stadium, nice pitch and nice environment.”

First published at 11:53, Friday, 19 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk