Following the FA Cup draw at Notts County last weekend the Reds return to league action with a trip to Cumbria.

It’s a first league meeting with Carlisle since 2005 though the teams met in cup ties in recent years.

John Coleman will hope his side can continue the form that has taken them to withing touching distance of the play-offs.

Since the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy meeting between the sides earlier this season Keith Curle has taken charge at Brunton Park and he will be keen to carry on their renaissance since he took over.

John Coleman has virtually a full strength squad to select from after Michael Liddle returned to action at Notts County following three months out with injury.

Adam Buxton could be back in contention soon but the game is likely to come too soon for the full back.

Nicky Hunt is available again following suspension and John O’Sullivan and Sean Maguire are eligible after being unavailable for the FA Cup.

Carlisle could welcome back a string of players, including striker Billy Paynter and midfielders Paul Thirlwell and Alex Marrow, following injury.

The Cumbrians have spent eight out of the last 10 seasons in League One, one season in League Two and one season in the Conference.

They finished in third place in the Conference in the 2004/05 season and beat Stevenage in the play-off final at the Britannia Stadium 1-0, with the goal coming from Peter Murphy.

The following season they made it back to back promotions by winning the League Two title in their first season back in the football league.

They have then spent the last eight seasons in League One, before being relegated at the end of last season after finishing in 22^nd place in League One.

Keith Curle

50 year old Curle was appointed as the Cumbrians manager in September after the club sacked Graham Cavanagh. Curle is in his fourth managerial role, after previously having spells at Mansfield Town, Chester and Torquay United.

Prior to being a manager Curle had a very successful playing career, making over 700 appearances for a number of clubs, including Bristol City, Wimbledon and Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, he will perhaps be most known for his spell at Manchester City where he made 174 appearances and scored 11 goals.

Gary Dicker

28 year old Dicker signed for the club in the summer from Crawley Town and has so far made 12 appearance.

He started his career at UCD where he made 69 appearances and scored five goals. He then signed for Stockport County and made 58 appearances before moving on loan to Brighton and Hove Albion. He then signed permanently for Albion and made a total of 138 appearances and scored six goals for the club between 2009 and 2013. Last season Dicker had spells at Rochdale and Crawley Town before signing for the Cumbrians in the summer.

The two sides have met on 25 occasions in league matches at Brunton Park, with Stanley winning two, drawing three and losing 20 of those matches.

The last league meeting between the sides was in the Conference in the 2004/05 season, with the Cumbrians running out 2-0 winners, with goals from Derek Holmes and Karl Hawley.

The sides have met in the Capital One Cup since the last league meeting with the Cumbrians winning the game 1-0 with a goal from Matty Robson.

It is worth noting that you have to go back to the 1955/56 season for the last Stanley victory at Carlisle, when they returned to Lancashire with a 4-0 victory.

Stanley are unbeaten in their last last four matches and have lost just once on the road since John Coleman returned to the club.

The Reds are 12th in League Two but only two points worse off than Southend who are seventh.

The Cumbrians have had a disappointing season so far, sitting in 22^nd place in the League Two table. They have so far won three, drawn two and lost three of their eight home matches so far this season.

In their last match they travelled to Peterborough United in the FA Cup and lost 2-1, with Christian Burgess scoring twice for the Posh, including a last minute winner. Derek Asamoah scored for Carlisle.

In their last home match Carlisle defeated Oxford United 2-1 with goals form Mark Beck and Asamoah. Danny Hylton scored for Oxford.

Stanley

James Gray 5
Kal Naismith 4
Rob Atkinson 3
Sean Maguire 3
Shay McCartan 3
Luke Joyce 3

Carlisle

Kyle Dempsey 4
Brad Potts 4
Derek Asamoah 3
Mark Beck 3

Tony Harrington (Cleveland)

Mr Harrington is in his third season at Football League level following time spent officiating at Conference level.

His last Stanley game was a 1-0 defeat at Crewe in the JPT last season.

This season: 12 games, 35 yellow cards, 0 red cards

The Ground

The Cumbrians have played at Brunton Park since 1909 and the current capacity of the ground is 17,949.

The club’s record attendance is 27,500, which has been achieved on two occasions. Firstly when Carlisle hosted Birmingham City in the FA Cup 3^rd round in 1957 and secondly when they hosted Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 5^th round in 1970.

Tickets bought on the day increase by £3 details HERE

For more information on Carlisle United, why not visit their official website www.carlisleunited.co.uk or their Twitter feed @officialcufc

Four members of the current Stanley squad have also played for Carlisle during their career. Current Stanley captain Luke Joyce, Tom Aldred, Michael Liddle and Craig Roddan have all appeared for the Cumbrians.

Joyce made 26 appearances and scored two goals for Carlisle between 2006 and 2009 and has so far made over 200 appearances for Stanley.

Aldred made five appearances for the Cumbrians and Liddle had a spell on loan at Carlisle and made 22 appearancesbefore joining the Reds from Sunderland.

Finally, Roddan made one appearance for Carlisle in a loan spell from Liverpool and made his Stanley debut after re-signing for the club at Notts County on Saturday.