Carlisle old-boy Paul Murray is facing a race against time to be fit for Shrewsbury Town’s intriguing Carling Cup clash with his former club tonight.Midlfielder Murray, who has had two spells with the Cumbrians, is struggling with an Achilles problem and faces a late fitness test ahead of the Prostar Stadium showdown.

David Hunt isn’t expected to return to training until the end of the week, but Murray is the only member of the squad which defeated Macclesfield 4-0 on Saturday with a doubt for this evening.

Manager Paul Simpson believes a test against the League One outfit, who lost in the play-offs last season, provides the perfect challenge for his buoyant team.

“It’s an excellent game for us all,” he said. “We know it’s going to be tough. They are a very good footballing side and had a great result on the road on Saturday (winning 3-2 at Bristol Rovers).

“If we approach it in the same way we did against Macclesfield and play that type of football then it will be a good game and hopefully we can be as clinical as we were on Saturday. We know we have to perform to our best but we are capable of beating them. It’s a good challenge for both teams and the cups are very important.

“They are a good source of revenue for the club and we couldn’t have asked for anymore than a home tie and a bit of interest with it being Carlisle United.

“I want to stay involved in it. I’m not someone who wants to get knocked out early to concentrate on the League.

“You have got to have a good habit in every game you have. This is the next one and we want to be as professional as we can.”

Tonight’s game sees Simpson do battle with the club he managed between 2003 and 2006, guiding them to successive promotions from Nationwide Conference to League One.

“I had some great times there and I love the place,” he added. “It was a wonderful part of my career and I only have good memories from there.

“But on the night, for the 90 or 120 minutes or whatever it takes, there is only one thing that matters to me and that is for us to get through to the next round.”

West Bromwich Albion have granted permission for on-loan goalkeeper Luke Daniels to play in tonight’s clash, if selected.

By James Garrison