Carlisle will assess Macaulay Gillesphey ahead of Oldham clash

Posted Sunday, December 23, 2018 by PA

John Sheridan will assess defender Macaulay Gillesphey ahead of Carlisle’s Boxing Day clash against the manager’s former side Oldham on his return to Boundary Park.

The 23-year-old defender is doubtful after suffering a knock to his knee and Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Crawley came too soon, while midfielder Jason Kennedy – who has not featured since October 2017 – is still a few weeks away following a pelvis operation.

Sheridan, who made over 140 appearances for Oldham as a player as well as five stints in charge, challenged his men to step it up in the second half of the season and said: “I don’t want to finish 12th, I want to achieve something. This is a great opportunity to get something more.

“The last two results have been brilliant and I’m chuffed to bits to get them. There is a long way to go and Christmas is a massive period.”

Oldham boss Frankie Bunn saw the return of striker Ishmael Miller from the bench during the second-half of Saturday’s 3-2 loss at home to Exeter.

Miller had missed the previous threes game due to suspension and may return to the starting line-up if Bunn chooses to make some changes after their six-match unbeaten run was ended.

However, the former Manchester City youth player has a battle to replace team-mate Chris O’Grady, who scored a hat-trick in the recent victory over Bury or Sam Surridge, who was on target with the opener at the weekend.

Midfield duo Dan Gardner (knee) and Jose Baxter (ankle) remain long-term absentees for the Latics.