Paul Simpson says Carlisle United’s players need to step up and relieve some of the goalscoring burden on Joe Garner.

The experienced frontman has impressed manager Simpson with how he has led the line in recent weeks.

But the Blues are short of goals from many other sources.

And ahead of this weekend’s return to League One action against Bristol Rovers at Brunton Park, Simpson wants United’s goal-shy squad to help out 35-year-old Garner.

“Joe got another goal [at Leyton Orient last weekend] but we need to start chipping in from everywhere else,” said the Blues boss.

“We can’t keep relying on Joe.

“I’m delighted what Joe Garner is bringing to us as a focal point, but we need some help for him because as a group we're not helping each other.”

Garner has scored two in United’s last three games to take his tally to four for the campaign.

He headed the winner against Burton Albion before nodding last weekend’s FA Cup first round consolation at Orient, after earlier strikes against Shrewsbury Town and Stevenage.

News and Star: Garner scored United's consolation at Orient last time out, his fourth of the seasonGarner scored United's consolation at Orient last time out, his fourth of the season (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Between them, Garner and five-goal top scorer Jordan Gibson have scored 64 per cent of all their goals this season – nine from 14 in all competitions – with Owen Moxon (two), Sean Maguire and Luke Plange the only other scorers.

Carlisle head into this weekend in fourth-bottom position in League One and desperate for another win to get them moving back in the right direction.

“Every game’s a huge game,” said Simpson.

“We’ve got lots of games to go, and nobody’s going to help us – we are going to have to start helping ourselves fully, because at the moment we’re not, and that for me is a big frustration.

“We’re going to have to do something about it quickly.”

Simpson said it is vital United do not squander the good work which has accompanied their progress over the last 18 months, on and off the field.

“The fans have been behind us from day one and it’s snowballed since then,” added the manager.

“It is in a better place, but this club has been in a better place before, and it very quickly goes. We can’t afford to do that.

“We’ve built up some momentum, we’ve built up a strong fanbase again, there are positive things going on off the field but as the manager, my thoughts are that the experience of coming to Carlisle United has to be watching a winning team, and we’re not producing that at the moment.”

United, meanwhile, are expected soon to confirm the extent of Callum Guy’s knee injury which saw the midfielder stretchered off at Orient last Saturday.

Simpson, who gives his regular press conference on Thursday afternoon, is also set to update on the fitness of Fin Back, who missed the London trip with a dead leg.