FA Cup: Carlisle United defender urged to grab rare chance

The former Middlesbrough man is set to start in the Blues’ defence at Leyton Orient (Brisbane Road, 3pm).

His opportunity comes with regular left-back Jack Armer serving a one-game suspension.

Simpson has long talked up Robinson’s quality and professionalism behind the scenes.

Now he wants the 22-year-old to show he can stay in the side.

“He absolutely deserves his opportunity,” said the United manager.

“And it’s up to Jack to show what he’s all about.

“Jack Armer has been consistent ever since I came in, he’s been probably one of our most consistent performers, but he let himself down with two sloppy decisions last weekend and it’s going to cost him in an FA Cup tie now.”

Robinson has so far started just three games for Carlisle - at Sutton in the league last season and two EFL Trophy games (Image: Richard Parkes)

Robinson has made just three Carlisle starts to date – one in the league, at Sutton United on 2022/23’s final day, and two in the EFL Trophy this season.

The defender has 12 further substitute outings to his name since joining the Cumbrians on loan in January and then permanently in the summer.

There will be other changes to the squad today with Alfie McCalmont also starting a three-game ban thanks to the straight red card he was shown at Cambridge United last weekend shortly after Armer was dismissed for two bookings.

Fit-again duo Dylan McGeouch and Paul Huntington are on track to return to the squad after calf injuries.

Simpson, meanwhile, said right-back Fin Back was “touch and go” thanks to a dead leg.

Ben Barclay will be on standby to start in defence for a second successive game should Back be ruled out.

United’s manager has also been hoping for the green light from Reading to include second-choice goalkeeper Jokull Andresson in the squad for the cup tie.

If the Royals deny Carlisle permission to involve the Iceland international, Gabe Breeze will again step up.

Simpson has said United’s depleted numbers means he is struggling to fill the nine-man bench for the first round tie, which has £41,000 prize money up for grabs as well as a place in the second round draw.

Carlisle’s boss has rejected the chance to use youth team players to make up the numbers.

Simpson, meanwhile, has saluted the Blues fans who are making a third long trip in as many weekends, following league games at Portsmouth and Cambridge United.

“To be a Carlisle United supporter you have to have incredible commitment and dedication,” he said.

“It’s not just the time, it’s the cost spent to go away.

“It is absolutely fantastic from them to do it.

“When we go over and applaud them, although we have grounds where it’s just a mass of faces, you generally see the same faces who are there. When the coach turns up, it’s the same faces.

“It is brilliant. We need them with us. What we have to do is start being better with our performances to keep them with us.”