The Cumbrians need to win to keep alive their hopes of survival. They are five points behind Macclesfield, Rochdale and Scunthorpe and a further point adrift of Leyton Orient, Cambridge and Darlington. Only Darlington are safe as their goal difference is fourteen goals superior to United's. Cheltenham, currently lying 12th in the table on 54 points, are managed by former Blues assistant boss John Ward. Ward filled the role for a month earlier in the season after being appointed by Paul Simpson shortly after he took over from Roddy Collins. Ward quit Brunton Park to look for a job in management. He landed the vacant position at Whaddon Road a few weeks later. Both managers know each other well, but Ward insists there will be no quarter given today as the visitors aim to send the home side down. "I speak to Paul Simpson and Dennis Booth quite regularly, but they know my team will be giving everything to get a result," he said. "We have a job to do but it will be difficult as Carlisle are playing very well at the moment." United will not risk their injured trio of Paul Raven, Chris Billy or Kevin Henderson today. All three are back in training but Simpson indicated they would only be used in an emergency. However Simpson himself is poised to return to action today and there could be a role for Will McDonagh, who is also named in the squad. Simpson is expected to start on the left side of midfield in place of Peter Murphy who should take the suspended Kevin Gray's place alongside Lee Andrews in central defence. Ward's Robins have only won three away games, equalling the lowest number in the Third Division. They will be without Jerry Gill and have doubts about John Brough and Martin Devaney. In the reverse fixture last November, Cheltenham won 2-1 with two Bob Taylor goals. They have never lost to Carlisle in seven league meetings. The other matches at the bottom of the table today, which will help to decide United's fate are: MACCLESFIELD v Oxford, ROCHDALE v Southend, CAMBRIDGE v SCUNTHORPE and York v LEYTON ORIENT. If any of Orient, Cambridge or Scunthorpe get a point today, they are safe. A draw for Rochdale should also be enough as their goal difference is 15 ahead of United's. Carlisle are guaranteed at least a mathematical chance of survival if they win. Picture from News & Star |
