Dugdale's injury not as bad as first feared

The former Crewe and Tranmere man limped out of the defeat to Bristol Rovers with a suspected metatarsal problem but scans have revealed it is an issue with a tendon.

Boss Jim Bentley said: “We though he might have done his fifth metatasal but it’s a bit of tendon damage, thankfully it’s not a break.

“It’s another absentee though and we’ll have to battle on.”

That list of absentees is still long with Andy Fleming joining Shaun Miller in serving a ban having been sent off for pulling the hair of Stuart Sinclair at the Memorial Stadium.

Charlie Bailey is still out after rolling an ankle in training but Aaron McGowan, Lee Molyneux and Chris Doyle have all done some training this week and will be assessed ahead of the meeting with the Cumbrians.

As for Carlisle, Keith Curle’s side will be without goalkeeper Mark Gillespie after he was sent off in the 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night with Dan Hanford set to deputise between the sticks.

Bentley is expecting a tough test against the play-off chasers, knowing Curle well having been his boot boy when a youngster at Manchester City.

He said: “They didn’t get the result they wanted on Tuesday night.

“We watched them last week at Accrington (a 1-1 draw on February 16) and they were very good when they went down to 10 men.

“I know Keith Curle very well. He’s done a good job there and got good players in.

“We know they’ve got quality in the squad. They lost the goalkeeper on Tuesday but that’ll be an opportunity for the other lad to stake his claim.”

Bentley is also hoping for a good atmosphere with Carlisle set to bring a healthy, 1,000 plus, following to the Globe Arena on Saturday.

He said: “The community has all gathered together and rallied round the club after the difficult time during the floods which is great.

“It will make a good atmosphere and hopefully we can get the result we want.”

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