Paul Simpson says Sam Lavelle is a player others at Carlisle United should look up to – as he explained why he has kept faith with the defender.

The Blues manager retained Lavelle in his back line against Barnsley this week following a game-costing error in the defeat to Charlton Athletic last weekend.

Some fans had called on Simpson to take ever-present Lavelle out of his side.

But the manager said that would have “killed” the 27-year-old – whose professional approach Simpson believes is an example to others.

“Unfortunately Sam’s season has been the story of our season in that we’re getting punished for everything that goes on,” said Simpson.

“Sam’s a leader, a leader in the group, and I felt if I left him out I’d be killing him a little bit.

“I thought [against Barnsley] he was front-foot, he tried, he worked…he tries to do things properly.

News and Star: Ben Barclay came off the bench for Lavelle late in Tuesday's defeatBen Barclay came off the bench for Lavelle late in Tuesday's defeat (Image: Ben Holmes)

“He’s one of those players who I say is a very, very good professional. Others in the football club should be looking at him, at that type of professional.

“Yes, he made mistakes at the weekend, we all know that, but he tried to put it right [on Tuesday] and I felt it was right to stick with him.”

FLASH SALE: Click HERE to subscribe to our in-depth Blues coverage for £4 for 4 months

Lavelle, who joined United from Charlton last summer, is one of just two players to have started every league game this campaign, Jon Mellish being the other.

The former Morecambe captain was substituted late in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat with Simpson saying he was feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

Simpson hopes that will prove nothing serious and Lavelle can continue in the side at Shrewsbury Town tomorrow as the Blues seek a better afternoon, after a dire run of 11 defeats in 12 league games, with the Cumbrians also now possessing the worst defensive record in the division with 66 goals conceded from 37 games.

They will go up against a 17th-placeed Shrews side likely to include the man Lavelle replaced at Carlisle last summer – defender Morgan Feeney, who clashed with Simpson following United’s 2-0 win over the Shrews at Brunton Park last September.