Team news

Carlisle are Miller lite Carlisle will be without suspended striker Lee Miller for the home game against Tranmere.

Miller must sit out the second match of a three-game ban following his dismissal in the recent defeat at Hartlepool, leaving Jordan Cook, on loan from Sunderland, and Paddy Madden vying for a starting place up front alongside leading goalscorer Francois Zoko.

Midfielder James Berrett is back in contention following his recent one-game ban.

Manager Greg Abbott has no new injury or suspension problems, but although Matty Robson returned to full training last Friday following a back injury, he is not expected to be in contention, so Ben Parker, on loan from Leeds, will continue at left-back.

Carlisle, unbeaten at home in the league since early September, have lost only one of their last 10 league games and are level on points with sixth-placed Stevenage.

On-loan Stoke striker Ryan Brunt could make his full debut for Tranmere.

Brunt appeared from the bench in the defeat to Wycombe nine days ago and is in contention to partner Mustafa Tiryaki in attack.

Manager Les Parry's present injury problems have not eased sufficiently to offer him any new selection options as Rovers look to arrest a run of seven games without a win.

Forward duo Enoch Showunmi and Andy Robinson have returned to training and are slated to appear against Preston reserves on Wednesday as opposed to travelling to Brunton Park at this stage in their recoveries from respective leg and knee injuries.

Carlisle vs Tranmere

Last modified 22:42 14/02/12

Rovers almost catch Carlisle napping Tranmere missed a great chance to pull off a shock win at play-off chasers Carlisle and were left to rue a string of missed chances in a goalless draw.

Rovers, with just seven points from their previous 14 games, rarely looked troubled in defence against the shot-shy Cumbrians, but the visitors' forwards were in profligate mood, wasting three great opportunities in a five-minute spell after half-time.

Tranmere debutant striker Ryan Brunt almost made a perfect start in the third minute only to see his close-range effort hooked off the goalline by Carlisle defender Peter Murphy.

Rovers did not look like a side that had gone seven games without a win and when Robbie Weir's header found Adam McGurk clear on the left, home goalkeeper Adam Collin cut down the angle and managed to block the shot with his legs.

Brunt sent a free header over the bar after the break then Weir wasted a left-wing cross by blasting yards wide, while McGurk drove his shot across the face of goal and narrowly wide of the far post.

Ironically Carlisle could have snatched the win in the 90th minute when visiting goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams had to tip over substitute Paddy Madden's flicked header from Liam Noble's free-kick.