The Carlisle United manager, Paul Simpson, provided an update on the injuries of Owen Moxon and Ben Barclay following their absence in the recent defeat against Exeter City.
Moxon, the midfielder, and Barclay, the defender, were sidelined due to leg and knee issues, respectively. Simpson expressed optimism, stating that neither problem appears to be serious, and he anticipates both players returning for the upcoming home match against Oxford United on Saturday.
Simpson clarified that Moxon’s injury was a painful dead leg just above his knee, causing instability in his leg during attempts to train. On the other hand, Barclay’s knee issue, initially feared to be a cartilage problem, was revealed to be less severe after a clear scan result. Simpson expressed relief at the absence of long-term concerns and hopes that both players will be available for the next weekend’s fixture, although he acknowledged the need to assess their conditions upon returning to Carlisle.
In the absence of Moxon and Barclay, Harrison Neal made his debut in midfield, while Corey Whelan was brought back into the defense. Another change saw Luke Armstrong debut up front in place of Joe Garner. Simpson praised Neal’s performance, highlighting the importance of players stepping up when others are unavailable.
Regarding the exclusion of Seán Grehan from the squad, Simpson explained that the player, recently joining from Crystal Palace’s Under-21s, had limited training with the team due to the Christmas break. Despite traveling with the squad, Grehan was not included in the lineup, with Simpson emphasizing the need for the player to acclimate to the team gradually.
Simpson also addressed the decision not to include Paul Huntington, stating that the defender is not currently considered a substitute. Huntington has faced multiple setbacks in terms of fitness, dealing with calf and quad issues. Simpson defended his choice to leave Huntington out, asserting that the player needs to reach a higher level of fitness before being considered for a starting position. The manager also mentioned his preference for Sam Lavelle in the back three and explained that Corey Whelan was the natural replacement for the injured Barclay.
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