Keith Curle has challenged Carlisle United’s defenders to cope when Tom Miller misses the trip to Wycombe through suspension.

In-form Miller became the first Blues player to be hit with a ban this season after he received his fifth yellow card against Northampton.

It will force the four-goal defender to miss only his second game so far in 2015/16.

Miller has quickly become an influential figure at the back for Carlisle, but Curle said his likely replacement – Alex McQueen – must now sieze his chance.

The United boss said: “Whoever comes in and takes Tom’s place – stake your claim.

“Probably the obvious one would be Alex McQueen. The objective to him is - can you keep Tom on the sidelines?”

Curle will also be hoping to have Michael Raynes back in his ninth-placed side for Saturday’s game against the Chairboys.

The centre-half missed the 3-2 defeat at Northampton after failing to recover from a badly-bruised hip.

Curle said: “Michael’s not far away. He couldn’t make Tuesday, and let me tell you, the kid wanted to play, which is pleasing.

“He wanted to have an ever-present record.

“Troy [Archibald-Henville] came in and deputised ok, before going up front and trying to cause a bit of havoc.”

While United’s progress in League Two was checked at the Sixfields Stadium, Curle admitted he was pleased to see fit-again Charlie Wyke back on the goal trail.

The former Middlesbrough striker grabbed United’s late consolation after coming off the bench in only his second game back from a broken foot.

While Curle admits United are missing top scorer Jabo Ibehre, Wyke’s comeback has increased Carlisle’s options up front.

“I like seeing Charlie Wyke on the pitch,” Curle said.

“The work he’s done off the pitch to get himself back has been excellent.

“It showed on Saturday [against Exeter] - he’d only had three training sessions, but came back in and lasted 80 minutes.

utilise

“On Tuesday the game plan was to utilise and isolate Derek Asamoah with his pace and it worked a treat.

“Then Charlie knew he was going to have some part in the game, and he came on and got a goal. It’s a good reward for the hard work he’s been doing behind the scenes.”

Curle, meanwhile, is set for more talks with Courtney Meppen-Walter’s agent over the out-of-favour defender’s future.

Both Meppen-Walter and Cumbrian teenager Connor Hammell have been the subject of loan interest recently.