Paul Simpson says he has every faith in Jack Stretton if he needs to turn to the loan striker this weekend amid Carlisle United’s latest injury issues.

Both top scorer Kristian Dennis and fellow frontman Omari Patrick have been nursing hamstring problems this week.

Simpson hopes both will be fit for the trip to Newport County and is expected to give an update on the duo at his press conference this afternoon.

But if either of the key forwards are sidelined, the Blues manager insists Derby County prospect Stretton is ready to step up.

The loan man featured in Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy tie against Fleetwood Town.

He is awaiting his first league start since joining the Cumbrians on a season-long move early in the campaign.

Simpson rates the 21-year-old highly and said: “I thought Jack Stretton was outstanding on Tuesday – he absolutely worked his socks off and made it difficult for centre-backs.

“I thought he was a threat and had some really good strikes, particularly in the first half. He’ll benefit from the game.

“If he has to be involved [from the start at Newport] I will have absolutely no hesitation in putting him in there. Because I’ve brought him in to be someone who’s going to be a threat as a No9 for us.”

Carlisle will head to Rodney Parade hoping to build on an encouraging eight-day spell.

They followed a solid point on the road at Mansfield Town last Tuesday with a welcome win at home to AFC Wimbledon in the league.

This Tuesday, meanwhile, they kept their Papa John’s Trophy hopes alive with a late fightback to draw 1-1 with Fleetwood Town, earning a bonus point with a penalty shoot-out victory.

The latest injury concerns threaten to cast a shadow but Simpson feels Carlisle can head to Newport full of confidence.

They will take on an Exiles side who have made a disappointing start to the season, with James Rowberry’s men sitting 19th.

Carlisle have never won at Rodney Parade but Newport have lost four of their five home games so far.

“We’re going to Newport to get a win. We want to get that first away win, simple as that,” said Simpson.

“We’ll be going to win the game against a club that did really well last year. They’re struggling this year for whatever reason.

“We are going there to get a result because we think it’s an opportunity. If we go and play to the levels we’re capable of, we can certainly get a result there.”

Simpson is likely to recall most of the players he rested from the starting XI on Tuesday night.

That should see Tomas Holy, Fin Back, Jack Armer, Paul Huntington, Morgan Feeney, Jordan Gibson, Callum Guy and Jon Mellish come back into things.