CARLISLE United will try to book a place in the third round of the League Cup with a makeshift back four and without instant hero Lee Miller tonight.
The Cumbrians travel to Aldershot Town in a second round tie delayed by the August riots. It means they already know their third round opponents, with the winners travelling to Rochdale.
On-loan Newcastle United player James Tavernier is one of a quartet of defenders unavailable to Greg Abbott tonight, while Miller is cup-tied having played in the competition for Middlesbrough.
Lubomir Michalik is on international duty, and Peter Murphy and Frank Simek are both injured.
Tavernier joined as cover for American Simek, who picked up a hip injury against Notts County on the opening day. As expected at Brunton Park, the Magpies are not prepared to allow Tavernier to be cup-tied, so midfielder Tom Taiwo is likely to fill in at full-back.
“If Newcastle get an injury they are not going to risk doing us a favour in the cup when they might need James themselves,” Abbott said.
“If I was in their position I would have done the same. We will get on without him.”
Newcastle’s decision is an indication that versatile 19-year-old Tavernier is part of manager Alan Pardew’s plans after two impressive pre-seasons, sandwiching a loan spell at Conference side Gateshead.
Irish centre-back Peter Murphy is missing after suffering back spasms before Saturday’s 2-1 win over Leyton Orient. Abbott is hopeful Murphy may be ready to return against in-form Milton Keynes Dons at the weekend, and will not risk jeopardising that by asking him to make the long journey to Aldershot.
Earlier this month fellow centre-half Michalik became only the third player in Carlisle’s history to be capped by their country while playing for the Cumbrians. His appearance against Austria was his first for four years.
He has been named in Vladimir Weiss’ squad for the European Championship qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia. As well as being unavailable tonight, the 28-year-old will also miss the visit of MK Dons and the start of Carlisle’s defence of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. They have been drawn against League Two Accrington in the first round.
