Stat Attack: Carlisle United vs. Notts County

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on just 28 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians. Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 9, with just 3 draws.

Our last meeting was on 22 March 2014, with Notts clinching a 4-1 win at Meadow Lane in League One. The Cumbrians were relegated at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).

The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.

Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.

Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.

Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.

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Carlisle will stage their 'home' fixture against Notts County at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium as work to restore Brunton Park continues following severe recent flood damage in Cumbria.

Manager Keith Curle, who used to be at the helm of the Magpies, has no major new injury worries and is not expected to make many unforced changes, but defender Tom Miller remains doubtful due to the hamstring injury which has kept him out for three matches.

Goalkeeper Mark Gillespie returned for last week's 1-1 draw at Oxford in place of Dan Hanford following illness and is expected to resume.

On-loan Newcastle midfielder Macaulay Gillesphey was back on the bench as an unused substitute last week following a pelvic injury and is hoping to feature.

Liam Noble is suspended again for Notts after his red card at Wycombe in midweek. It was the second time this season the midfielder has been sent off so he will serve a four-match ban.

Stanley Aborah is back in training but unlikely to be risked. The Belgian injured his knee against Barnet a fortnight ago and the best he could hope for would be a place on the bench.

Kyle De Silva is also struggling with a knock and is likely to be missing from the travelling squad.