Carlisle vs Cheltenham preview
Friday 18 January 2019 11:06, UK
New Carlisle manager Steven Pressley will oversee his first game in charge against Cheltenham at Brunton Park on Saturday.
Pressley has been appointed until the end of the season and will be aiming to move into the Sky Bet League Two automatic promotion places.
New loan signing Connor Simpson could be pushing for a start after coming off the bench in a 3-0 defeat by Northampton. The 18-year-old was brought in on a deal until the end of the season from Championship side Preston to improve Carlisle's attacking options.
Cheltenham signing Charlie Raglan could make his debut after joining from Oxford on loan on Tuesday. Raglan has been brought in by manager Michael Duff to improve the defence, where he admitted they had been short.
Of the long-term injured, Johnny Mullins is the closest to a return, having trained on Tuesday but the skipper has been out for two months and is unlikely to feature on Saturday. Will Boyle is still weeks away from a return while Sean Long has returned to the grass but is expected to be out for another month.
Opta stats
Carlisle have won their last three league matches against Cheltenham without conceding a goal.
Cheltenham have never won away at Carlisle in the Football League in 11 attempts (W0 D6 L5).
Carlisle's 0-3 loss against Northampton last time out ended a run of six consecutive league victories for the Cumbrians - they haven't lost back to back League Two games since October 2018.
Cheltenham have won just one of their last five away league games (D2 L2), a 4-1 victory against Yeovil on New Year's Day.
Carlisle's Hallam Hope has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 12 league games (6 goals, 7 assists).
