Carlisle United target boost against Harrogate in EFL Trophy

The Blues manager said a positive night at Brunton Park can provide a lift after recent struggles.

Carlisle take on the League Two side – who they have never beaten in eight attempts – in their final group game in the newly-sponsored competition.

Recent defeats and an injury pile-up have rocked the Blues but Simpson wants a display tonight that can lift everyone.

“We need a performance to get a result, and if we get a result it will give everybody a bit of confidence, a bit of belief, to take into next week,” said Simpson.

Carlisle’s manager is limited in his options to make changes tonight because of United’s growing list of absentees.

Alfie McCalmont can be involved, with the remaining game of his three-match ban not applying to the Trophy.

Alfie McCalmont can play tonight with the remaining game of his three-match ban to be served in the league (Image: Richard Parkes)

But Jack Robinson is suspended after bookings in previous Trophy outings.

Simpson is checking on Owen Moxon’s fitness after he was hurt late in Saturday’s League One defeat to Bristol Rovers.

On the sidelines are Fin Back, Paul Huntington, Taylor Charters, Jack Ellis, Callum Guy and Joshua Kayode.

“It’s going to be a situation of counting the heads,” added Simpson.

“I was always going to be playing strongest team available, and that’s what we’re going to have to do because we don’t have any other options.

“We’ve just got to approach it as positively as we can.”

Owen Moxon, pictured receiving treatment at full-time on Saturday, is being assessed ahead of tonight's game (Image: Barbara Abbott)

If Simpson does make further changes it could see the likes of Corey Whelan, Jokull Andresson, Terry Ablade, Dan Butterworth and Ryan Edmondson come into contention, with Sean Maguire another candidate to come back into the side.

In order to qualify from northern group C, Carlisle need to win by at least a two-goal margin tonight, hope Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s lose to Accrington Stanley next Tuesday, and also benefit from a goal difference swing of five.

A win or a draw would keep qualification hopes alive for a Harrogate Town side who are 14th in League Two and whose assistant manager is the former Blues captain Paul Thirlwell. Their squad includes ex-Carlisle defender Rod McDonald.

Another small Trophy crowd is expected at Brunton Park, with 12 of United’s 17 all-time lowest home attendances having come in this competition since its 2016 revamp which saw Premier League Under-21 teams invited.

Some fans continue to boycott the trophy over the big clubs’ involvement.