Carlisle United to name senior XI for cup semi-final

Carlisle United take on Whitehaven Miners Social at Brunton Park (kick-off 7pm) for a place in the county senior cup final.

As in some of the previous rounds, United will use the cup tie to give first-team squad members an outing - and the chance to push their first-XI claims.

Fit-again Josh Emmanuel and Ben Barclay are pencilled in to start after their return from injury.

They will be joined by a host of senior names who have been short of first XI action lately.

“It will be a very senior team,” said Simpson.

“I imagine the majority, if not all of them will be senior players, because they all need minutes.

“They all need to keep playing. And they all need to stay professional. So that's what I'm expecting.”

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Emmanuel is back from a two-month lay-off with a knee tendon problem, while fellow defender Barclay has returned from an ankle injury.

“They’ll certainly come into it barring anything happening between now and then,” said Simpson.

“They've both trained fully towards the end of last week. So I fully expect them to be involved.

“We need to keep everyone up to match speed and keep them right.

“A lot of players will get a run out. It will not do them any harm – it’s a lovely surface to play on and hopefully they’ll be able to get something out of it.”

United’s intention to field a senior side means the likes of Dylan McGeouch, Jayden Harris, Seán Grehan and Anton Dudik could be among those involved.

Jayden Harris is among the United players who could feature tonight (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Carlisle are hoping to reach the county senior cup final for the first time since 2019, when they last won the trophy. The Blues are 26-time winners of the competition.

Their opponents, Whitehaven Miners Social, are hoping to pull off an upset and reach the final for the first time. They are three-time semi-finalists.

The west Cumbrians sit fifth in the Cumberland County League Premier Division. They were in action on Saturday with a 6-3 defeat at the hands of Cleator Moor Celtic Reserves.

Whitehaven Miners Social progressed to the semi-finals after seeing off Alston Moor in the last eight, with Carlisle defeating Penrith at the same stage.

The winners of tonight’s tie will take on either Workington Reds, the current holders, or Maryport Athletic in the final.

Entry at Brunton Park tonight is £3 for over-18s and £2 for under-18s. Tickets can be bought online now and are also available from the West Stand ticket office from 6pm. The Glass Bar will be open.