Brentford v Carlisle preview

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Brentford have a host of injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s home fixture.

Left-back Jake Bidwell is set to miss out with an ankle injury and striker Will Grigg is struggling with a hamstring problem.

The Bees also lost on-loan Sunderland forward Conor McAleny to a broken leg last weekend while goalkeeper Richard Lee (shoulder) and midfielder Jonathan Douglas (knee) are still recovering from operations.

Boss Uwe Rosler will recall the likes of goalkeeper David Button, defenders Tony Craig, Harlee Dean and Shaleum Logan, midfielders Alan McCormack and Adam Forshaw and striker Clayton Donaldson after making 10 changes for the 5-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Derby in midweek.

The Cumbrians must look to tighten up the Football League’s most leaky defence without injured centre-half Sean O’Hanlon again.

The Cumbrians have conceded 22 goals in six matches this season, but under-fire manager Greg Abbott has few options following the 5-2 Capital One Cup defeat to Leicester in midweek.

O’Hanlon is still struggling with the groin injury he sustained in the warm-up ahead of last Friday’s draw at Colchester and midfielder Paul Thirlwell stepped in alongside Danny Livesey at the heart of defence.

Abbott, who has no new injury or suspension problems, could be tempted to recall either Mike Edwards or Kevin Feely to his back line as his side chase their first league win of the season.

Brentford v Carlisle preview

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Brentford have been hit by a host of injuries ahead of the visit of Carlisle.

Midfielders Tom Adeyemi and Kevin O’Connor were both crocked during Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at Portsmouth.

Adeyemi could face a couple of weeks out with a hamstring problem while O’Connor, who replaced him at Fratton Park, was stretchered off with an ankle injury which is set to keep him out for the long-term.

Defender Leon Legge was already missing with the groin problem he suffered in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood last weekend, and he is still out.

Striker Farid El Alagui remains on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Defender Scott Barron impressed as a substitute against Pompey and is in line for a rare start.

Manchester United teenager Sean McGinty could make his debut for Carlisle at Brentford.

Defender McGinty, 19, has joined the Cumbrians for an initial month and was among the substitutes in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Preston.

Centre-half Danny Livesey has been ruled out for three weeks with a broken bone in his hand and McGinty could be handed his first appearance.

Manager Greg Abbott has no new injury or suspension problems, but midfielder Paul Thirlwell is still struggling with an ankle injury and striker Mark Beck (broken finger) remains sidelined.

Winger Matty Robson could return to contention after missing the last two matches through injury, while midfielder Chris Chantler has been playing in recent matches despite a heel problem.

Teenager Brad Potts, included in the England Under-19s squad this week, is expected to retain his place in his defensive midfield role after his man-of-the-match display in the midweek draw at Preston.

Brentford v Carlisle preview

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Brentford defender Robbie Neilson is pushing to be fit after missing the midweek win over Sheffield Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Leon Legge, Toumani Diagouraga, Adam Reed, Myles Weston and Gary Alexander should all return for the Bees.

League One rivals Carlisle, who are just three points behind the Bees in the league, have no new injury or suspension worries for their second Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final in as many years.

Francois Zoko is expected to partner Ben Marshall up front.

Brentford v Carlisle preview

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Brentford defender Robbie Neilson is pushing to be fit after missing the midweek win over Sheffield Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Leon Legge, Toumani Diagouraga, Adam Reed, Myles Weston and Gary Alexander should all return for the Bees.

League One rivals Carlisle, who are just three points behind the Bees in the league, have no new injury or suspension worries for their second Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final in as many years.

Francois Zoko is expected to partner Ben Marshall up front.

Brentford v Carlisle preview

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Brentford will be without Richard Lee, Charlie MacDonald and Robbie Simpson.

Goalkeeper Lee suffered a shoulder injury against Leyton Orient last Saturday so Simon Moore will make only his second league start unless boss Nicky Forster dips into the loan market.

Lee has also been ruled out of next weekend’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against the Cumbrians along with striker MacDonald, who has undergone ankle surgery.

On-loan frontman Simpson misses out on Friday with an ankle problem but he hopes to be fit in time for the Wembley showpiece.

Better news is the return to full training of winger Sam Saunders following an ankle injury, while defender Pim Balkestein could also be available after a groin strain.

Carlisle will be boosted by the return of midfielders Harry Arter and Liam Noble.

Arter, on loan from Bournemouth, was ineligible for the Cumbrians’ 1-0 home win against his parent club last weekend, while Noble, on loan from Sunderland, has completed a three-game ban following his dismissal in the recent win over Hartlepool.

Defender Liam Cooper, on loan from Hull, is pushing for a recall after returning to the bench as an unused substitute last week.

Centre-half Danny Livesey (hamstring) remains sidelined, so Lubo Michalik and Peter Murphy will resume their partnership in central defence, with winger Matty Robson continuing his run in the starting line-up as a left-back.

The Cumbrians are nine points adrift of the top six with nine games remaining.