CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson has explained why he made wholesale changes to his Blues line-up against Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy.

Simpson made nine changes to the side that defeated Shrewsbury last weekend, with only Jon Mellish and Fin Back retaining their places.

This vastly changed side went on to fall short against John Coleman's Stanley at the Wham Stadium, falling foul of an unfortunate Corey Whelan own-goal late in the clash.

Speaking after the match, Simpson addressed the changes.

"I made more changes tonight than I wanted to," He said. 

"Jack Armer has got a back spasm so he wasn't fit to play. 

"I wasn't prepared to risk Paul Huntington tonight because of the quick turnaround in games.

"I played Fin and he got a smack in the eye so he will possibly need stitches.

"Callum Guy has done a lot of particularly high-intensity work over the last fourteen days so there was a lot of decisions I made because I wasn't prepared to risk players but I also think it is important to keep other lads involved."

Simpson also shared the news that defender Ben Barclay is set to be sidelined for 'probably four to six weeks' after picking up an injury following the important victory against Shrewsbury Town.

He said: "Ben Barclay did some work on the pitch after the game and dropped out and he has had a scan and he has got a tear in his calf so he is out for probably four to six weeks so he missed the game tonight."