Boss John Sheridan has challenged those Carlisle United players desperate for a chance to make the most of Jerry Yates' two-match absence.

The Rotherham loan man is set to miss the Blues' home games against Stevenage and Grimsby after his red card at Bury.

The suspension is a blow for the United boss with Yates having started every match so far this season.

But Sheridan says he has other players begging for an opportunity and one of them will now get that chance.

"I can talk about all my players - they're all dying to play, all knocking on my door asking why they are not playing," the Carlisle boss said.

"I love that in a player. I want them to be bothered why they're not playing.

"I'm quite an honest manager and will try and tell them reasons why.

"I want them all believing they have a chance of playing.

"Things will happen, like [with] Jerry, so someone is going to get an opportunity."

Among the players hoping for a call-up against Stevenage this weekend will be midfielder George Glendon and forwards Ashley Nadesan and Adam Campbell.

Jack Sowerby, meanwhile, will be hoping for a full home debut having made his first Blues start in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Gigg Lane.

With fellow midfielder Mike Jones also close to a return after injury, Sheridan will not be short of options as he seeks to build on United's latest positive result on the road.

The Carlisle boss, meanwhile, has called on four-goal Richie Bennett to show more belief in himself.

The striker grabbed the winner against Bury to take his tally to four.

While Bennett has come in for some criticism this season, Sheridan said: "He's not [always] going to be the best player but I've got to remember, when I try and analyse things, that he's come from non-league, as has Nadders [Nadesan], even though he's been at Fleetwood a bit.

"They are two lads learning the game and are totally different.

"He [Bennett] has scored all his goals away from home, which is one of the reasons I kept him in the side [on Saturday].

"He's not playing out of his skin but he's something different for us and he defends when we've got set plays against us.

"I'd like a lot more from him. I'd like him to believe in himself a bit. There's more to his game…it's not just high balls onto his head all the time.

"He's another one who needs to do the basics, stick to them and he'll be a handful in this league."

United have received an initial allocation of 717 tickets for the trip to Oldham on Saturday, October 6.

They are on sale now at Brunton Park's main ticket office, prices £18 (adult), £8 (65+, student, under 21) and £5 (under 18). Tickets will increase by £2 if bought on the day.