Grimsby Town vs Carlisle United. Sky Bet League Two.
Blundell ParkAttendance3,753.
Friday 17 November 2017 13:44, UK
Grimsby defender Paul Dixon will miss Saturday's Sky Bet League Two home clash with Carlisle due to suspension.
Dixon must serve a one-match ban after being yellow-carded for the fifth time this season in the 2-0 loss at Exeter on Saturday. The Mariners hope James Berrett (back) and Martyn Woolford (illness) will recover in time to feature. Jamey Osborne could come into the squad after playing for the reserves this week.
Carlisle will be without Nicky Adams for the trip, with the winger's season seemingly over. Adams was injured against Yeovil last weekend but hopes that it was a minor problem were dashed when he took to Twitter to say he would not play again until next term.
That could prevent an opening for John O'Sullivan to step into, having made a couple of substitute appearances since his own five-month lay-off. Boss Keith Curle could also field an extra striker in Shaun Miller, moving Hallam Hope wide, but Jason Kennedy (back) remains out of the picture.
Grimsby have failed to win either of their last two league games against Carlisle at Blundell Park (D1 L1), but they have been beaten on home soil by the Cumbrians only twice in their league history (W10 D4).
Carlisle have won just one of their last 18 away games at Blundell Park in all competitions (D4 L13), failing to score in nine of their last 11 there.
The Mariners are unbeaten in their last six league games on home soil (W2 D4), but have drawn each of the last four there, including the last three by a 0-0 scoreline.
Carlisle have taken 10 points from their last possible 12 away from home in League Two (W3 D1); this after losing three in a row beforehand.
Nathan Clarke is the only outfield player to have played every minute for Grimsby in League Two so far this term (17 games, 1530 minutes).
Reggie Lambe has the best shot conversion rate (inc. blocks) of any player to attempt at least 20 shots in League Two this term (30%).
