With just three games remaining, the Cumbrians must bridge a five-point gap between themselves and safety. To do this, the chances are they will need to win all their remaining fixtures. The trip to Field Mill tomorrow will be a tough test of United's resolve, as the home side are comfortably inside the play-off zone and another win should guarantee them a position in the end-of-season contest. United are unbeaten in their last three away games and must hope this fine form continues tomorrow. They have received a big boost with the news that both Paul Simpson and Will McDonagh are in the running for a return to first-team action. Simpson has been nursing a sore calf whilst McDonagh has confounded medical opinion by coming back to fitness five weeks after suffering serious bruising to his knee bone against Northampton Town. Simpson is prepared to gamble on his injured leg and will almost certainly play although he is still undecided over McDonagh. The 20-year-old midfield star appeared in the midweek reserves win over Blackpool. The other key games tomorrow see third-bottom Rochdale take on Kidderminster at Aggborough whilst fourth-bottom Scunthorpe are at home to Macclesfield, who are three points above them in the table and not quite safe yet from relegation. Second bottom York, whose midweek loss to Yeovil was their 17th game in succession without a victory, must travel to championship front-runners Doncaster Rovers. Donny would clinch the 3rd Division title if they win and Hull lose. Kevin Gray, who has been so influential in United's battle against relegation, will play his final game of the season before commencing a three-game ban for his sending off at Leyton Orient on Easter Monday. He will also sit out the first game of next season, whichever league the Cumbrians find themselves in. Mansfield officials today confirmed that Carlisle fans can pay on the gate tomorrow. The match was made all-ticket for travelling supporters but places are still available. Name change on cards for CCUIST Kate Rowley, newly appointed chair of supporters' trust CCUIST has confirmed that the organisation is considering a change of name in the summer as part of a radical overhaul of the Trust's image. CCUIST members recently voted overwhelmingly in favour of relinquishing a 20% share option to enable the club to re-finance. They have still to pay over almost £250,000 for their first 20% batch and retain an option over a further 9%, which will only be available to them once they have paid for the first 20%. As part of a revamp to attract new members and extra donations, the CCUIST Board are looking into the possibility of a new name. "When we first started out we couldn't use Carlisle United in our title as Michael Knighton prevented that," said Rowley. "This is no longer the case and the name may now be changed to something like Carlisle United Supporters Trust to emphasise the increasingly strong links between the club and the trust." Donny big screen prices announced The big screen which will beam live pictures of United's final and possibly crucial match at Doncaster back to Brunton Park will cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions to watch, the club has announced. The screen will be positioned in front of the East Stand, which has a 6,000-strong capacity. Tickets will go on sale soon, said club officials. Meanwhile, the final home game of the season against Cheltenham Town next week has been made all-ticket. No tickets will be available on the day of the match and must be bought up to and including Friday April 30. Members of CCUIST and the supporters' club who have been staffing the ticket portakabins on match days have been given the day off and club officials are also concerned about the possibility of a full house, if United still retain a chance of staying up. Picture from News & Star |
