Paul Simpson has reported a clean bill of health for Carlisle United’s clash with Shrewsbury Town.

Defender Ben Barclay has quickly shaken off the ankle problem which saw him substituted in Tuesday’s reserve game at Wigan Athletic.

And midfielder Dylan McGeouch is back in the mix after coming through his comeback appearance unscathed.

Summer signing McGeouch had been out with a hamstring problem but returned in the Central League Cup game.

“The plan was to give him 75 minutes and he came off just before then – he was just tired,” Simpson said.

“He’s fine and he’s trained.

“Ben had a bit of soreness in his ankle and, with the issues he had last season, we weren’t prepared to take any risks.

“That was precautionary, and he’s fine – he’s trained as well.

“Jack Robinson got smashed in a tackle [at Wigan] – a bad tackle as well, I thought it could have been a red card – but he’s fine and he’s trained.

News and Star: Dylan McGeouch returned to action at Wigan on TuesdayDylan McGeouch returned to action at Wigan on Tuesday (Image: News & Star)

“There are no issues at all, everybody’s fully fit and available for the weekend.”

At a time United are striving for their first League One victory, Simpson is glad to have the bulk of his squad available.

It is in contrast to an injury-hit start to last season and issues which plagued the Cumbrians for most of the season.

“We had a horrendous run last year with injuries and it was probably a freak run that you can’t really legislate for,” he said.

“We’ve been lucky so far this season and I’m going to touch wood on this one because I hope it carries on.”

Simpson, meanwhile, said he was pleased with Jayden Harris’ impact in the reserve game as the midfielder pushes for a first-team chance.

Harris scored a brilliant consolation goal in the second-string 2-1 defeat.

“I had to have words with Jayden after the [recent reserve friendly] performance at Blackburn, but he was much better in the game at Wigan,” said the manager.

“He applied himself really well, as did a few of the other players I had to have words with the previous week. They tried to do things properly.

“My overriding thought when I looked at the game was that it again shows the difference in levels between Wigan Athletic as a League One club and where we are – they looked a really good outfit.

“We did a lot of good things in the game; a brilliant goal from Jayden, I thought Jack Robinson stuck to his task and worked extremely hard, Dylan showed for 60-odd minutes what he's got in him, I thought Ben and Corey [Whelan] applied themselves really well, and I thought young Gabe [Breeze] did well in goal.

“There were lots of good things which were more pleasing than the week before.

“They’ve all got to realise that over the season they’re all going to be needed,” added Simpson.

“I’m not sure at this moment we’ll see the real effect of the extra time that’s added on in games. As we go on through the season we will in terms of injuries.

“You can see players are picking up yellow cards for no reason at all now, so there’s going to be suspensions.

“The group is going to be needed. These guys who are not starting at the moment need to make sure they keep training properly, keep applying themselves properly when they get match minutes, and doing everything they possibly can so that when they get the chance they maximise it and do really well.”