Brunton Park
Stockport County travel to Brunton Park today to face Carlisle United, with the Hatters hoping to end their miserable run of form which has seen them go pointless since early October.
United will be high on confidence after a superb victory over Leeds United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area Final in the week, but County will also feel they could take something from the game after a much improved performance against Swindon Town on Tuesday.
Quotes
Greg Abbott:
“We will have to be at our absolute best and I will be reminding the players that the plaudits from Tuesday night have gone now.
“Stockport have strengthened their side just before they play us and if any of our players think it’s going to be easy, they should be aware of that.
“They will be scrapping for their lives, like we have done in the past, and it will probably be a tougher game than it was at Leeds on Tuesday night.”
Gary Ablett:
“I am still positive, I still believe and I look forward to going to Carlisle and getting a positive result. I think it is a game we are more than capable of going up there and winning.
With the players we’ve brought in, our target of 12 wins is a real possibility and it’s something we’re going to work very hard to achieve.”
Team News
Carlisle could be boosted by the return of three players from injury. Skipper Paul Thirwell sat out their midweek win because of an achilles injury but should be fit enough to return. Former Hatters midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and striker Richard Offiong could also be in contention after recovering from knee injuries.
County are without winger David Poole who is still banned after being sent off against Leeds United at the end of December but otherwise Gary Ablett has a full squad to choose from.
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