Paul Simpson is weighing up a first outing of the season for Tobi Sho-Silva as Carlisle United target Papa John’s Trophy progress tonight.

The Blues manager is considering involving the fit-again striker in the squad for the trip to Barrow AFC (SO Legal Stadium, 7pm).

Sho-Silva has been out since pre-season with a hamstring injury but the former Sutton United man could now come back into the first-team picture.

“I’ve got to make a decision as to whether Tobi could just be on the bench, and maybe do the warm-up and be involved in the match prep, then maybe get a little taster at the end, if he’s right,” Simpson said.

“I think that’ll give him a boost.”

Carlisle otherwise must go with practically the same squad they used on Saturday as injuries limit Simpson’s ability to shuffle his pack.

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He is, though, likely to make a number of changes to his starting line-up, with players such as Jayden Harris, Michael Kelly, Morgan Feeney, Taylor Charters, Duncan Idehen and Ben Barclay hoping for outings.

Teenagers Nic Bollado and Ryan Carr are also likely to be in the mix.

“They’ll all be considered,” Simpson added.

“We had 19 players available for Saturday, Ryan Carr was the only one who missed out. This is the group we’ve got – we haven’t got anybody else.”

Kristian Dennis and Fin Back are again likely to miss out as they target a return next weekend after hamstring problems.

Corey Whelan was having his ankle assessed after going off late in Saturday's 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers.

Carlisle are hoping to overcome their fellow Cumbrians tonight and finish second in Northern Group G behind winners Manchester United Under-21s.

Second place would see the Blues into the Trophy's knock-out stages.

They start the evening level on two points with both Barrow and Fleetwood Town, the latter facing Man Utd U21 tonight.

Fleetwood have a superior goal difference to the Cumbrian duo by one goal.

It means victory might not even be enough for Carlisle if Scott Brown’s side beat Man Utd U21s and their goal difference advantage remains.

But should Fleetwood fail to win, it will open the door wider for the possibility of Carlisle progress.

A win, or a draw followed by a penalty shoot-out victory, would be enough for United to go through, provided Fleetwood either lose, or draw and lose on penalties.

But defeat or a draw followed by shoot-out defeat would consign Carlisle to elimination no matter the result at Fleetwood.

Simpson wants United to go as far as possible in the competition - and wants to chalk up victory in tonight’s all-Cumbrian clash against Pete Wild’s Bluebirds.

“I don’t even want to win on pens, I want to win it in 90 minutes,” Simpson said.

“Barrow have had a brilliant start to the season, I know they’re on a bit of a dodgy run at the moment, but they’re still a decent side.

“It’s a local derby, I want to win the game, get through to the next stage and hope we get a little bit of luck in the draw and see if we can get ourselves closer to having a Wembley appearance.”

The Trophy remains controversial with many fans over the involvement of top-flight clubs since 2016, with some supporters continuing to boycott.