CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson is looking forward to the 'brilliant challenge' his side will face when they take on Stevenage this weekend.

The Blues come into the game against Steve Evans' side off the back of their first League One victory of the campaign against Shrewsbury.

Their opponents have made a flying start to the League One campaign winning four of their first six games after being automatically promoted from the fourth-tier last season.

Despite Boro's impressive start, Simpson is relishing the challenge his side will face at the Lamex Stadium and challenged his side to 'rise to the occasion'.

He said: "It's a great game to look forward to, we have earned the right to be going and playing this game in League One, last year it was an attractive game in League Two and this year it is even more attractive.

"We know it is going to be tough, they have had the best start for any newly promoted side into League One after six games so we know it is going to be tough but it is a brilliant challenge to look forward to and we have got to make sure we rise to the occasion."

Simpson was also keen to pile the praise on Boro boss Steve Evans, the mastermind of Stevenage's successful start, but also explained what his Blues will have to do to come away from Hertfordshire with a result.

He said: "I don't think Steve Evans gets enough credit as he probably deserves because he knows how to win games whatever level and he has had a really good start and they have got players who all know what they are doing and they are really effective at it.

"As I said, we can't try and copy them we have got to do our own thing, go about it properly and be brave on the ball, keep possession, and then we have to make sure we are really clinical and we make the most of the opportunities we make.