Mike Williamson admits he has “decisions to make” after certain Carlisle United players impressed against Wigan Athletic.

The Blues boss is now weighing things up for the return to league action when Carlisle go to Salford City in four days’ time.

A major area amongst the head coach’s calls appears to be in goal, where Gabe Breeze turned in an eyecatching performance in the FA Cup first round defeat.

The 20-year-old’s confident showing came as he got the nod ahead of Harry Lewis, with Williamson making six changes for the Brunton Park tie.

Breeze’s performance has led to calls from many fans for him to be given a run in the side in the league, Lewis having been first-choice No1 since he joined from Bradford City in January.

Williamson admitted the home-grown Cumbrian had done his prospects no harm.

Asked by the News & Star if Breeze was now a strong contender for a league chance, Williamson said: “Everyone that has come in [against Wigan] has done well and that's all they can do when they get opportunities.

Breeze made a series of good saves in the cup clashBreeze made a series of good saves in the cup clash (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I know game time has been difficult for some, the likes of Jack Robinson and Jack Ellis, and others people coming back from injury.

“It's been hard and all you can do is try and stay your claim – and Gabe's done that. He's put a real performance in, so yes, I'm going to have decisions to make.”

Breeze made four starts in League One last season as Paul Simpson dropped Tomas Holy for a spell in the winter, before the six-figure move for Lewis.

The ex-Bradford man has started all 34 league games since making his debut against Oxford United in January.

Breeze began the season as second-choice, ahead of summer signing Jude Smith, and the Cumbrian has made three cup appearances this campaign, two outings in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy before his selection against Wigan in the 2-0 extra-time defeat, when his performance also came in for praise from Latics boss Shaun Maloney.

Carlisle now return to the league in desperate need for improvement and points, with the Cumbrians second bottom and four points adrift in the relegation zone, with the worst goals-against record in the league.

Mike Williamson Mike Williamson (Image: Ben Holmes)

United, Williamson says, are reflecting on the Wigan game before stepping up the build-up for the televised trip to in-form Salford.

“We’ll watch it back, we will look at areas that are relevant that we can show [the players] for encouragement, or look at areas that we need to improve on,” the head coach said.

“It will be probably a lot of work in the theatre and a lot of departments working on, and then we have two really good days, Tuesday and Wednesday, once we've assessed and dressed ourselves down and we look forward to a tough test on Saturday.”

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