Paul Simpson wants no talk of jinxes as Carlisle United head to Harrogate Town tonight.

The Blues are targeting a first-ever win against a side who have proved a bogey team over recent years.

The Carabao Cup clash at the EnviroVent Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) gives Carlisle the chance to beat the Sulphurites at the eighth attempt.

But manager Simpson says this evening is all that matters – not what’s happened in the past.

“Let’s just go and play the game of football, it’s not about anything that’s gone before,” he said.

“That’s the only thing I’m thinking about. I don’t care whatever’s happened in the past.

“We want to go there and win. However we do it, we need to go and put on a performance, get a result and then wait and see what the draw brings.”

Simpson will make changes to his side for tonight’s first round tie in Yorkshire.

The manager says he will not make “wholesale” alterations to the side that drew 1-1 with Fleetwood Town in the league on Saturday.

But his intention to freshen up his XI could lead to opportunities for players such as Ryan Edmondson, Jack Ellis, Dylan McGeouch, Taylor Charters, Ben Barclay, Corey Whelan, Jayden Harris and Sean Maguire.

News and Star: Carlisle have never won against Harrogate, drawing 3-3 on their last visit to the EnviroVent Stadium (pictured)Carlisle have never won against Harrogate, drawing 3-3 on their last visit to the EnviroVent Stadium (pictured) (Image: Richard Parkes)

The game, though, is likely to come too soon for Dan Butterworth after his return from injury.

Simon Weaver’s Harrogate enjoyed a good start to their League Two season with a 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers.

Simpson says Carlisle can expect a typically tricky test against tonight’s hosts.

“They’re a good side – they’ve always shown that they’re a good side,” he said of a side whose assistant manager is ex-Carlisle captain Paul Thirlwell.

“They seem to raise it against us for some reason, I don’t know what it is, whether they’ve got something against us…I’ve certainly not got anything against them.

“I think they’re a really good football club, I like the staff, I think the players go about it the right way, and we’ve got to make sure we definitely go about it in the right way, because everybody is playing for a place in the team.

“There will be changes. Not wholesale, but there will be changes, to make sure that we’re right and to keep everybody involved.

“It’s a game we want to go and win, I want to be into the next round of the cup and we’ve got a good opportunity if we do it properly.”

Harrogate are without former Carlisle defender Rod McDonald, who has an eye injury.

Sought-after striker Luke Armstrong will also not feature, having made himself unavailable for selection at the weekend amid strong transfer interest.

Joe Mattock, Warren Burrell and Will Smith are potential replacements for McDonald at the back.