Paul Simpson says Carlisle United must do all they can to make tomorrow a reunion to forget for Crewe Alexandra’s two ex-Blues.

Defenders Kelvin Mellor and Rod McDonald make a quick return to Brunton Park after their summer departures.

The experienced duo will be part of a Railwaymen side hoping to end Carlisle’s unbeaten home record in League Two.

Simpson said both men deserve respect for their efforts with United – but hopes they leave empty-handed this weekend.

“They are two players who served this club really well,” said Simpson, who released the duo at the end of last season.

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“But my challenge to our players is to make sure they have a horrible day on Saturday – we greet them really well but make it a tough place to come back to.”

McDonald made 66 appearances for the Blues over two campaigns, with Mellor playing 25 times for United last season.

Both have been regulars in Crewe’s defence as Alex Morris’s side have begun life back in League Two after last season’s relegation.

They sit 11th, three places and two points behind Simpson’s side, after ten games.

Simpson insists having familiar faces in the opposition does not give either side a particular advantage.

“We do know what they are but we don’t know what Crewe are asking them to do,” he said.

“We’ve got an idea from their games so far, we can see what they are about, but it really is about us, how we go about it.

“We have to have the strength mentally to start this game right, get front footed straight away, take the game to them and try and cause them as many problems as we can.

“It’s up to me to put the players out there who have some energy about them, a real will to go and do things properly and win the game.

“If they do that, I’m confident we’ve got enough to get the right result out of Saturday’s game.”

Simpson identified big frontman Courtney Baker-Richardson as a key man for Saturday’s opponents.

He has seven goals in 12 games after his summer move from Newport County.

“Crewe have always been renowned for being a total football side,” Simpson said.

“I think they’ve got a blend of both at the moment – they’re still trying to play, but also have a target man who’s scored a few goals and is causing problems.

News and Star: Crewe boss Alex Morris, left (photo: PA)Crewe boss Alex Morris, left (photo: PA) (Image: PA)

“They’ve got wide players who can be effective and who are positive. I think sometimes when teams get relegated they start the season on a bit of a downer, just like teams who come up have a bit of momentum.

“They’re just finding their feet at the moment. I think they’re a good side. They’ve got good footballers in there, and one thing we’ve got to make sure is that we’re able to deal with whatever threat they have.

“If they want to play football, we’ve got to make sure we’re set up in the right way to set traps and nick it back off them. If they want to go direct we have to deal and compete with that, which I’m confident we’ve got players who can.

“It’s the same whoever you play – you have to outwork them, outcompete them and hope your football is better than them as well.”