Paul Simpson is calling for a “lively" reaction from his Carlisle United players in front of a sell-out away support at Hartlepool United.

The Blues head to the Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday in search of a second consecutive away win against Keith Curle’s side.

Simpson has stressed the need to put on a performance for the 685-strong travelling support in the north east.

And he said only by showing improvement on last weekend’s showing against Crewe can United expect a positive afternoon against the Monkey Hangers.

“It’s about how we react to the next one now,” Simpson said.

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“We managed to get our first away win last Tuesday at Grimsby, and we now go to Hartlepool where I know we’re going to have hundreds of our own supporters there – we’ve sold out of a small allocation that we’ve got.

“We’ve got to make sure we go and be better, livelier, sharper, brighter than we have been [against Crewe].”

Simpson is checking on the fitness of Callum Guy, who injured his ankle late in the 0-0 draw last Saturday.

He is also keeping tabs on the progress of Ryan Edmondson and Ben Barclay as they inch closer to a return to availability.

Curle guided Hartlepool to their first win in 21 league games against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.

The former Blues boss has taken five points from three unbeaten games since replacing Paul Hartley at the strugglers, who moved up to fifth bottom with the victory.