Team news

Cook in for Carlisle Carlisle's new loan signing Jordan Cook is expected to go straight into manager Greg Abbott's plans for the home game with Walsall.

Striker Cook, 21, joined the Cumbrians on loan from Sunderland on Monday and is likely to start on the bench, with in-form Francois Zoko resuming up front alongside Lee Miller.

Abbott has no new injury or suspension problems as his side look to climb into the top six.

Midfielder Chris Chantler, a recent permanent signing from Manchester City, is pushing for his first start after making his debut as a substitute last time out against Orient.

Winger Andy Welsh was an unused substitute in that game after a three-month lay-off due to a calf injury and is also hoping to feature.

Defender Stephen O'Halloran (knee) and strikers Rory Loy (broken leg) and Craig Curran (knee) remain long-term absentees as Abbott's side look to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Walsall boast a fully-fit squad.

Defender Olly Lancashire (hamstring) and midfielder Kevan Hurst (heel) both played for the reserves in midweek as they gained vital minutes in their respective recoveries, and both will be available if required by manager Dean Smith.

Otherwise, the Saddlers boss has no new injury or suspension concerns for the long trip north to Brunton Park, where the Cumbrians are unbeaten in eight games since mid-September.

Forward Alex Nicholls, 24, is in line to make his 200th senior appearance for Walsall.

Carlisle vs Walsall

Last modified 18:12 21/01/12

Nicholls denies Cumbrians Carlisle's play-off hopes took a knock when Alex Nicholls fired home a late penalty to earn draw specialists Walsall a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate.

The Cumbrians paid the price for failing to put the game to bed after Lee Miller had been gifted an early goal.

The Saddlers' defence was caught napping in the seventh minute when Jon-Paul McGovern won possession before feeding Miller with a pass, which left the striker with a simple tap in for his 10th goal of the season.

McGovern was proving a livewire on the right flank for Carlisle and twice in the first half saw excellent efforts denied by the woodwork.

There was a wake up call for the Cumbrians in the 63rd minute when they failed to clear in a penalty area scramble and Saddlers' skipper Andy Butler was unlucky to see his low effort bounce back off the post with Collin beaten.

Walsall were rewarded for their persistence in the 81st minute when Carlisle defender Frank Simek sent Butler tumbling right on the edge of the box and although Collin guessed correctly, Nicholls drove the spot kick low and hard into the corner of the net.