Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic

Brunton Park

Saturday 18 August, 3pm kick-off

Oldham team news: John Sheridan will be boosted by the news that midfielder Neil Kilkenny's protracted loan move from Birmingham City has finally been sorted this week and the 21 year old is likely to be in the starting line up at Brunton Park.

Sheridan has no injuries to worry about but striker Lee Hughes will not be at Brunton Park, as the former West Brom striker is still serving the final part of his prison sentence before linking up with his new side!

Last league match: Oldham 2-1 Swansea

Crossley, Eardley, Thompson, Gregan, Giddings, Allott, Kalala, Kilkenny, Taylor, Ricketts, Davies.

Subs: Liddell, Bell, McDonald, Smalley, Wolfenden

The Latics kicked off their season in fine style by securing all three points against a much fancied Swansea City.

Two goals at either end of the match eventually did for the Swans, and it was former England striker Michael Ricketts who got Oldham's season off to the best possible start after just three minutes crashing home from the penalty spot after Craig Davies had been fouled.

Swansea struck back in the second half, Jason Scotland levelled things up before Davies struck a dramatic last minute winner for John Sheridan's men.

One's to watch: After selling last season's top scorer Chris Porter to Motherwell in the summer, Oldham fans could have been forgiven for wondering where the goals were going to come from this season.

However, the Latics moved quickly to tie up international duo Michael Ricketts and Craig Davies ? money that already looks well spent. Former England international Ricketts is a powerful frontman with plenty of experience and an eye for goal whilst John Sheridan will be hoping that Ricketts can build on a promising partnership with his Welsh counterpart Davies.

New signings:

Craig Davies from Verona - Nominal

John Thompson from Notts Forest - Free

Mark Allott from Chesterfield - Free

Mark Crossley from Fulham - Free

John Paul Kalala from Yeovil - Free

Michael Ricketts from Preston - Free

Neil Kilkenny from Birmingham - Loan

Stuart Giddings from Coventry - Loan

Top scorers:

Craig Davies - 2

Michael Ricketts - 1

John Paul Kalala - 1

Carlisle team news: United will be missing Ged Dalton through a long-term knee injury, whilst Peter Murphy is struggling to be fit for Greg Abbot's first league game in charge.

Team from the last league match: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy (Arnison 41), Aranalde, Hackney (Garner 57), Bridge-Wilkinson, Thirlwell, Smith, Gall, Graham (Carlton 86).

Subs Not Used: McDermott, Howarth

Last four games between the two teams:

03/03/2007 - Carlisle United 1-1 Oldham - League 1

27/08/2006 - Oldham 0-0 Carlisle United - League 1

18/10/2005 - Oldham 1-1 Carlisle United - Football League Trophy

08/11/2003 - Oldham 3-0 Carlisle United - FA Cup

Head to head:

CUFC - 26

Draws - 15

Oldham - 21

Referee: In charge of Saturday's game will be Mr Nigel Miller from County Durham.

Nigel's first game of the season was at Bramall lane on Tuesday and saw Sheffield United safely into the second round of the Carling Cup at Chesterfield's expense. Mr Miller issued only two cards in that one and Blue's fans will be hoping the card count stays low again on Saturday.

Yellow cards per game: 2