Simon Hackney will undergo a late fitness test ahead of Carlisle's clash with League One leaders Leicester on Saturday afternoon.Midfielder Hackney continues to be troubled by a calf injury and is likely to miss out again, so Jeff Smith or on-loan Coventry man Chris Birchall are ready to fill the void.

Fellow loanee Graham Kavanagh will continue in the centre of midfield as he plays his final game before his loan from Sunderland expires.

However, manager Greg Abbott has a welcome dilemma to contend with as fit-again trio Danny Livesey, Peter Murphy and Richard Keogh all battle for a place at the heart of defence.

Meanwhile, the Cumbrians have been boosted by the return to first-team action of striker Michael Bridges - who came through the final half-hour of last week's 1-1 draw with Swindon unscathed.

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