Brentford v Carlisle preview

Team news ahead of Friday night's League One clash between Brentford and Carlisle United at Griffin Park.

Brentford will be without Richard Lee, Charlie MacDonald and Robbie Simpson. Goalkeeper Lee suffered a shoulder injury against Leyton Orient last Saturday so Simon Moore will make only his second league start unless boss Nicky Forster dips into the loan market. Lee has also been ruled out of next weekend's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against the Cumbrians along with striker MacDonald, who has undergone ankle surgery. On-loan frontman Simpson misses out on Friday with an ankle problem but he hopes to be fit in time for the Wembley showpiece. Better news is the return to full training of winger Sam Saunders following an ankle injury, while defender Pim Balkestein could also be available after a groin strain. Carlisle will be boosted by the return of midfielders Harry Arter and Liam Noble. Arter, on loan from Bournemouth, was ineligible for the Cumbrians' 1-0 home win against his parent club last weekend, while Noble, on loan from Sunderland, has completed a three-game ban following his dismissal in the recent win over Hartlepool. Defender Liam Cooper, on loan from Hull, is pushing for a recall after returning to the bench as an unused substitute last week. Centre-half Danny Livesey (hamstring) remains sidelined, so Lubo Michalik and Peter Murphy will resume their partnership in central defence, with winger Matty Robson continuing his run in the starting line-up as a left-back. The Cumbrians are nine points adrift of the top six with nine games remaining.