Carlisle United's trip to Salford City this Wednesday is OFF.

The Blues have seen another fixture fall victim to the spread of Covid-19 among the squad.

United have informed the EFL that they would not have enough players to fulfil the fixture because of Covid and injuries.

It is a third consecutive Blues game that has fallen victim to the virus.

The Cumbrians will now hope to return to action on New Year's Day at Scunthorpe.

The Blues had been set to be backed by a big travelling support at the Peninsula Stadium at the December 29 fixture.

But it has now become a second game in four days to be shelved after the Boxing Day visit of Rochdale.

United's December 18 home game against Bradford was also postponed, this time because of Covid cases in the opposition ranks.

Carlisle's statement on the Salford postponement said: "We informed the EFL that we would be unable to fulfil the fixture at the Peninsula Stadium due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in the squad.

"The club has worked hard to ensure that it would be able to get this game played. However, taking into account the injuries and positive COVID-19 cases with the squad, we do not have a sufficient number of players available in order to fulfil the fixture.

"In light of the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant, the EFL will now review the circumstances surrounding the postponement. 

"In addition, it will assist affected clubs throughout this challenging period to help them mitigate against the risk of infection amongst players and staff, while ensuring their obligations to the EFL regulations are maintained.

"A rearranged date for the fixtures will be confirmed in due course.

"Our ticket office will be open at 10am on Thursday morning for enquiries about ticket options for this fixture, including refunds."

Salford added: "We wish the affected Carlisle players and any staff well, and send our best wishes for a full recovery."

It means Keith Millen's side have played their final game of 2021 - and now face a further wait to play their next game after December 11's 2-0 win at Stevenage.

It also means an ever tighter new-year fixture list with Carlisle, like a number of their fellow clubs, now with a series of games to rearrange.

Only three games in League Two were played on Boxing Day, with six currently still on for Wednesday.

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