Paul Simpson insists Carlisle United must focus on finishing the season “properly” – despite already being relegated.

The Blues head to Cheltenham Town tonight (Completely-Suzuki Stadium, 7.45pm) in their first game since the drop was confirmed.

Carlisle’s demise back to League Two is now known while their opponents tonight are still in with a chance of pulling out of the relegation zone.

Many thoughts are now turning towards an attempted summer rebuild at United.

But manager Simpson says the approach to the remaining games this campaign must be as professional as possible.

“The first bit of work we have to do is make sure we finish these four games properly,” he said.

“Regardless of relegation being sealed, we’ve got to go and try and put on a performance, try and get some results.

“A lot of players are still battling to get results and some respect.”

Carlisle could be further depleted tonight with Dan Butterworth (calf) and Sean Maguire (achilles) doubts after picking up injuries at Northampton Town on Saturday.

It remains unclear, meanwhile, whether Simpson will include any of the players left out of Saturday’s squad amid a disciplinary investigation into a night out recently.

Jordan Gibson and Alfie McCalmont were omitted from the travelling party for Northampton.

Simpson has raised the prospect of recalling some of United’s youth team loanees from Workington Reds to make up the squad numbers.

He could, though, also have striker Joshua Kayode in the squad tonight for the first time since September after long-term injuries.

Kayode scored on United's previous visit to Cheltenham - a 1-1 draw in April 2021 when the Robins sealed League Two promotion.

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Simpson said the debrief and analysis of United’s failed League One campaign can begin now, rather than wait until after the final ball has been kicked.

“It’s not a case of ‘Let’s wait until after the Derby County game’ – that can start now,” he said.

“But we have to do these four games properly, including two at home, to show supporters we do care.

“I do care, it hurts to be part of a relegation group and we want the opportunity to put it right.”

Darrell Clarke's third-bottom Cheltenham are two points below 20th and victory tonight could give their survival hopes a major boost.