Paul Simpson insists ability is not the issue as Carlisle United strive for the form that can turn around their season.

The Blues manager instead highlighted areas such as consistency and "belief" as he prepared for the latest attempt to lift his side's form.

Carlisle are six points adrift of the League One safety line after Saturday's 2-1 defeat to rivals Exeter City.

The Cumbrians have been unable to string together a run of positive results all season and must now try to kickstart their campaign again when Oxford United visit Brunton Park this weekend.

Simpson felt his side did not show enough belief from the first whistle at Exeter and it cost them as the Grecians struck twice in the second half before Dan Butterworth hit Carlisle's late consolation.

Speaking about this week's work as United build up to their next encounter, the manager said: "It's a chance to have a week of training, to get them working again, to get them believing.

"Because they're fit enough at this point in the season, they've got the ability - they just have to do it consistently.

"We can't have a game like last Monday [the 2-1 win over Port Vale] where we perform and get a win and show real desire, and then we drop off like Saturday.

"That's a choice players are making. I know as a manager I'm the one who gets the blame for it but as a player you have to make a choice to do it consistently."

Simpson will also this week be assessing Owen Moxon and Ben Barclay after they missed the Exeter trip to leg and knee injuries respectively.

United's boss is optimistic both will be able to return for the visit of fifth-placed Oxford, a clash which will see new signings Luke Armstrong, Harrison Neal and Seán Grehan in the mix for their first home game.

Visitors Oxford, meanwhile, have suffered a blow with the news winger Stan Mills has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.