Last updated at 10:21, Saturday, 13 October 2012

Notts County boss Keith Curle is keeping Carlisle guessing over whether he’ll hand a recall to the man who gunned them down last season.

Notts County's Alan Sheehan, right and United's Lee Miller

Set-piece expert Alan Sheehan, who put away a superb free-kick in the two clubs’ meeting at Meadow Lane last term, is available after suspension.

But the experienced left-back faces a fight to regain his place after new signing Jordan Stewart impressed in County’s defeat to Tranmere last weekend.

"It definitely gives Alan more competition than he has had before – and he knows it,” said Curle.

Carlisle’s opponents today have lost their last two games, checking an impressive start to 2012/13.

But the Magpies’ boss insists he is not panicking – and won’t be making big changes today.

“The easiest job in the football club when you’re winning football matches is the manager,” Curle said.

“This is where I earn my money by turning negative results into positives.

“We still want to play football, we still want to get the ball down and play in the right areas of the pitch, and hurt teams as and when we can with the football.

“We’re not reactive, there’s no knee-jerk reaction because we’ve lost two games.”

Curle could hand a debut to defender Ashley Eastham, who played one game for United during a loan spell in 2010 – the FA Cup victory against Tamworth.

The Blackpool loanee said: “There has been a bit of a blip in the last couple of games, but they're not playing badly.

"Fingers crossed we can kick on and if I get my chance I will be ready and raring to go.

Right-back Julian Kelly will have a fitness test, having missed the last two games with a hamstring strain. Midfielder Joss Labadie (knee) and defenders Manny Smith (knee) and Tom Williams (calf) are out.

Leaders Tranmere scooped a September double in League One after manager Ronnie Moore was named manager of the month – pipping Curle to the prize – and striker Jake Cassidy won the player award.

First published at 10:12, Saturday, 13 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk