Six-man injury list for Carlisle United after Rochdale cup defeat

Last updated 15:46, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

Carlisle United boss John Ward’s woes deepened today as he was hit by a six-man injury list after last night’s cup defeat at League Two side Rochdale.

Michael Bridges

Captain Paul Thirlwell limped out of the Spotland clash in the first half amid fears he has aggravated the calf problem which ruined his previous campaign.

The out-of-sorts Blues also have concerns over goalscorer Michael Bridges after he ended the game with a knee complaint.

Scott Dobie and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson were kept out of last night’s tie with ankle and foot injuries respectively, although Ward is hopeful both will be back in contention for Saturday’s trip to MK Dons.

But with Chris Lumsdon and Peter Murphy already on the treatment table, United’s mounting injury list is a problem Ward could do without after their four-match losing run in League One was followed by last night’s penalty shoot-out defeat in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

On the injury problems, the Blues boss said: “Paul Thirlwell has a calf problem. He’s unhappy with it. It’s similar to what we’ve had before with him, so it’s a concern.

“Michael Bridges’ knee is sore - he had an ice pack on it after the game. He’s not sure what the problem is and we’ll look at it in the next 24 hours.

“Scott has a swollen ankle and although he trained on Monday, I wasn’t looking to put him in at Rochdale. Bridge-Wilkinson is ok, but it would have been foolish to play him when I knew I would be without my captain through suspension anyway on Saturday.”

Bridges fired the first goal of his second United spell after just four minutes at Spotland but goals from Lee Thorpe and Chris Dagnall quickly put Dale in front.

Teenage sub Gary Madine scored from 25 yards in the second half to force penalties but both Grant Smith and Simon Hackney hit the post as Dale secured a 4-3 shoot-out victory.

Ward, who made five changes last night including full debuts for Josh Gowling and Jennison Myrie-Williams, blasted “basic” defensive errors which put United on the back foot in the first half.

Evan Horwood’s poor backpass was seized upon by Dagnall for Dale’s second goal and Ward said: “David Wilkes would be disappointed with those mistakes from his under-10s.