Carlisle United call off reserve clash with Barrow AFC

The Blues have announced that the Central League Cup game, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Brunton Park, has been postponed.

The game will now be played early in the new year, United say.

Carlisle had originally been planning to use the second-string fixture against their south Cumbrian opponents' B Team to give Jack Ellis his first outing upon recovering from injury.

The young defender's comeback outing has now been deferred. It is understood United, after the recent spells of heavy rain, were keen to protect the Brunton Park pitch with two home games looming on the next two Saturdays.

The postponement comes at a time United are carrying a small squad of fully-fit players as they prepare for the busy festive fixture run.

Defender Ellis, meanwhile, is back in full training although manager Paul Simpson says he is unlikely to be considered for this weekend's home clash with Northampton Town in League One.

Ellis, 20, has been out of action since October with a groin problem.

But he close to a return in a bid to battle for a place in Simpson’s first-team ahead of the busy period of games ahead.

Speaking before the Barrow postponement, Simpson said: "Jack is back in full training and will play a little bit of the game.

“But it’s probably too early to consider him for next weekend [against Northampton Town] to give us an extra body.”

Ellis travelled with the squad to Blackpool on Saturday after returning to full training recently.

United’s manager said there is more good news on the horizon with two more of Carlisle’s sidelined players eyeing a return to action this month.

“Taylor Charters and Paul Huntington will be signed off from their rehab by the end of the week so they’ll join in full training,” Simpson added.

Taylor Charters is close to a return to full training (Image: Richard Parkes)

“So probably for the Christmas games they’ll be available for selection, which will give us a few more.

“We’re getting some more bodies in but we’re going to have to dig deep for the next few weeks.”

United remain without a number of players including long-term absentee Callum Guy and striker Joshua Kayode, who is eyeing a return close to the turn of the year.

Terry Ablade and Jokull Andresson are out until the early months of 2024.

Owen Moxon is a fresh concern after a hip problem saw him substituted in the 3-0 defeat to Blackpool.

Simpson is set to bolster his squad with signings in January but, in the meantime, said Carlisle must continue to make the most of the players available.

“Whatever we have, whatever we do, we have to make sure we stick together,” he added.