Exeter v Carlisle preview

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Defender Scott Golbourne is likely to return to action for Exeter .

The 23-year-old suffered a dead leg in the 4-4 draw with Sheffield United last weekend but the Grecians are hopeful he will have recovered in time to face the Cumbrians.

The news is not so positive for striker Guillem Bauza, however, whose niggling hamstring complaint has once again ruled the Spaniard out of action.

Meanwhile, full-back Billy Jones also remains sidelined with a fractured toe but centre-back Richard Duffy is available for selection after making a full recovery from an ankle knock.

Exeter go into the game looking to extend a three-match unbeaten streak in League One.

Carlisle’s new signing Christian Ribeiro will go straight into the squad.

The 21-year-old defender signed on loan from Bristol City this week and could play some part for Greg Abbott’s side.

Right-back James Tavernier will play his last match before returning to Newcastle and American Frank Simek has not yet fully recovered from long-term hip and calf injuries, so Ribeiro may be included on the bench.

Defender Stephen O’Halloran will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after damaging knee cartilage and will have surgery next week, while winger Andy Welsh (calf) remains sidelined.

Striker Francois Zoko is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after firing a double in last week’s fightback against Oldham.

Midfielder and skipper Paul Thirlwell will hope to play some part after returning to the bench as an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw against the Latics following a calf strain.

Exeter v Carlisle preview

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Exeter manager Paul Tisdale will be without striker Jamie Cureton for the visit of Carlisle.

The 35-year-old, who has netted four goals in all competitions this season, sustained a knock in last week’s 2-1 defeat at Walsall and will miss out.

Daniel Nardiello went off injured having replaced Cureton against the Saddlers, but has trained this week and will feature.

Defender Troy Archibald-Henville was sent off for a second bookable offence last time out and is suspended.

Skipper Matt Taylor remains sidelined with the back injury that has kept him out since the first week of the season.

The loss at the Banks’s Stadium was the Grecians’ second in three league games and they will be aiming to get back to winning ways against the Cumbrians.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott must decide whether to put new loan signing Mike Grella straight into his starting line-up for the trip to St James’ Park.

Grella arrived for an initial month from Leeds in midweek and could partner Gary Madine, but Abbott may be reluctant to break up his partnership with Francois Zoko which has helped lift the Cumbrians up to second in the table.

Peter Murphy will continue in central defence as on-loan Lubo Michalik is still sidelined with a hamstring complaint, and Abbott is not expected to make any other changes.

Assistant player-manager Graham Kavanagh is unavailable after having knee surgery last Friday, while defender Danny Livesey (groin) and midfield pair Paul Thirlwell and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (both knee) are still sidelined.

Richard Offiong, back from his loan spell at Darlington, is struggling with a thigh injury.