Anthony Gerrard insists his return to Oldham with Carlisle United will be "just another game" despite the highly controversial circumstances of his Latics departure.

The centre-half faces his former club tomorrow in a Blues side seeking a much-needed positive away day after back-to-back home defeats.

The clash comes just two months after Gerrard was sacked by Oldham over a social media storm which remains the subject of a Football Association investigation.

The defender subsequently accused the Latics of being "classless", and has again said he will one day lift the lid on the situation, but in the meantime claims he is not bothered by the reception he may receive tomorrow.

"It is what it is. I've played in bigger games than Carlisle v Oldham. I've had dog's abuse from 25,000 people, so from the 4,000 or 3,500 that Oldham get, it doesn’t really bother me to be honest," Gerrard said.

"I'm a big boy and I'll take it on the chin. I won't get riled, it wont faze me. Just go and do your job and hopefully that will get us the three points."

Gerrard made 69 appearances for Oldham from 2016-18 before his time with the club ended, with national newspaper reports alleging the 32-year-old had made a racist joke in a players WhatsApp group.

The FA have yet to comment on their investigation.

On tomorrow's trip, the defender added: "It's just another game to me. I belong to Carlisle now.

"I'm thankful to Oldham for what they did to me - the previous administration [that is], Simon Corney, Shez [John Sheridan] - but it's a new club now, not the club I signed for, and there are things that go on behind the scenes that people don’t really understand.

"It is what it is. My time will come to spill the beans and when it does get your popcorn ready.

"But it's just another game of football. We could be playing Forest Green, Stevenage again, anyone. You can only win three points and you can only try your best and that's what I'm planning to do."

Carlisle are expected to be backed by a good away following at Boundary Park as they bid to get back on track.

Gerrard admits their lack of consistency is a frustration, Sheridan's team having been beaten at home by Stevenage and Grimsby without scoring after their previous win at Bury.

He said: "We're not clinical enough at this moment in time.

"We're creating some fantastic chances and just not sticking the ball in the back of the net - and both boxes is where the game gets decided.

"Everyone beats everyone in this league. It's not about the quality, it's about the organisation, consistency…ultimately that's what gets you promoted.

"We haven't got the consistency at present. Once we get that, and get the players back who are injured, I think we can mount a challenge.

"Ultimately as a back four, or defender, your job is to keep a clean sheet, but we're [also] conceding some really sloppy, naïve goals."

Gerrard admitted his man-of-the-match award from the 1-0 Grimsby defeat meant nothing because of the poor result.

He added: "It's got to matter. It's your job. If it doesn't hurt, you're in the wrong environment. You want to get the most out of each and every game you get to pull on the shirt.

"I don’t know how many more times, how many more years, I've got to play, so I've got to embrace every opportunity that comes. I'm not gonna sit around and just let things pass by.

"I'm happy with how I've been playing. I think I've been really consistent. But it means nothing if you don't pick up the points.

"It's not about me, it's about what everyone else does, the team, the whole squad. Let's all push on together."

Tomorrow's game will also see Sheridan and midfielder Mike Jones return to their former club.