Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson today reported a clean bill of health for the Blues’ crunch clash with Salford City.

The manager said everyone involved in last weekend’s win at Barrow had come through it unscathed.

It means he can pick from a similar squad for the Salford game other than the suspended JK Gordon.

“We’ve got no issues from last week, thankfully – everybody came through it fine,” said Simpson.

“Taylor Charters has had another week of training, Jayden Harris and Joel Senior [who were not in last weekend’s squad] are still available for selection.

“Hopefully we pick the right team, right shape and we can go about our business properly.”

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Gordon’s absence means at least one change to the XI for the fifth-v-sixth clash.

If it proves a straight attacking swap, then Simpson’s options include Omari Patrick and Joe Garner.

News and Star: Omari Patrick could be a candidate for a recall against SalfordOmari Patrick could be a candidate for a recall against Salford (Image: Richard Parkes)

Jordan Gibson is another option in a wide attacking position, in attacking midfield or on the right.

Others who could step up in a tactical switch include midfielders Alfie McCalmont and Jamie Devitt.

Simpson said his players have been in good spirits this week ahead of a game which could go a long way towards determining their fate.

Carlisle know a win would seal a play-off place and could keep automatic promotion hopes alive depending on the results in games involving Northampton Town and Stevenage.

“It’s been really good,” he said. “They’ve had a couple of rest days this week, then we’ve been training.

“At this stage it isn’t a case of getting fit – it’s about them keeping ticking over this little period.

“We’ve done the work we needed to do, and there’s been a real buzz about them – there’s been a really good vibe about them for a long time now.

“There’s a real good spirit amongst them. Now we’re at this point where we’re very close to actually securing something. Tomorrow we can secure a play-off place, and that is a brilliant achievement from the whole group.

“Then once we’ve done that we’ll see whether there’s anything else we can try and achieve.”

Salford, meanwhile, have Aston Villa loan forward Louie Barry available after his red card at Walsall was overturned on appeal.

The Ammies are without the injured pair of former Carlisle trialist Richard Nartey and Ryan Watson.