Carlisle warning shot for Latics

ATHLETIC face a rejuvenated Carlisle United side on Saturday after the Cumbrians ended Sheffield Wednesday’s seven-game unbeaten run with a superb 3-2 victory in midweek.

Boss Greg Abbott got the reaction for which he was looking after a 4-0 thumping at leaders Charlton three days earlier, which came on the back of four matches without loss.

Abbott, like many npower League One bosses, must have been tearing out his hair at times due to his team’s lack of consistency this term.

Not least because the victory over the Owls was only their second of the campaign on home soil.

The fact they sit in 11th position in the table — one point and a place above Athletic — is largely thanks to six triumphs on the road.

But the convincing manner of their latest success at Brunton Park will give Athletic boss Paul Dickov food for thought ahead of this weekend’s trip to face the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy holders.

After falling behind early on, three goals in 15 second-half minutes courtesy of prolific Lee Miller, Rory Loy and Sunderland loanee Liam Noble effectively won the contest for Carlisle despite a late scare at the other end.

Miller, in particular, poses a huge threat after netting for the sixth time in 10 outings, a return which propelled him to joint-fourth in the league’s goalscoring chart.

The 6ft 2in hitman is no stranger to Athletic stopper Zander Diamond — the pair were team-mates at Aberdeen for four years from 2006.

Diamond, fit again after a back injury, is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after sitting on the substitutes’ bench in the midweek draw at Preston.

But even if he fails to dislodge the improving Jean-Yves Mvoto, the Scot is sure to fill in compatriot Dickov on the intricacies of Miller’s game.

With club skipper Paul Thirlwell (calf) and vice-captain Frank Simek (hip) both likely to miss out on Saturday, centre-half Danny Livesey is set to inherit the armband for the hosts.