Carlisle United will lose Stockport’s loanee Ben Barclay for Sunday’s Wembley play off final with his parent club.
But Blues boss Paul Simpson will have Jon Mellish available again after completing a suspension.
Simpson has been handing out praise to Barclay who has produced his top form since getting back into the team.
He said: “It’s a massive shame that he can’t play. It’s probably one of those nightmare scenarios, but I think when he’s been fit this year he’s been excellent. He’s been brilliant for us.
“I haven’t spoken to him but I’m quite sure he’ll be coming along for the trip, even though he can’t be involved in the game. He’ll be a big part of our training programme as we get ready for it. Let’s see what comes.
“We always knew it was a risk that this would happen to him. Ben understood it as well. I know he was quite emotional in the changing room.
“But I made special mention because he’s been outstanding when he’s been fit, he’s had a tough season. I thought maybe there were a couple of occasions at Valley Parade that he could have got a goal, so I’m really pleased for him.
“It’s a strange twist of fate that happens in football, that he’s the one who gets us there, but unfortunately he can’t enjoy the day.
“Like I say, we haven’t talked about it, but he’s in our camp at the moment and I don’t think I will be allowing him to go back into Stockport. He’s ours until the end of the month, so he won’t be going back there.
“There’ll be no phone calls. I won’t allow that, so no, he’s with us. He’s been with us all season. He’s shown a real gritty attitude to everything. And let’s see what the week brings.”
Mellish is free of his suspension in time for the promotion final and injured defender Morgan Feeney might even make the squad.
“He wants to try and train this week, so we’ll assess that. We’ll see how it goes.
“But I think whoever’s selected will roll their sleeves up and give us everything we’ve got. We’ve seen it time and again that whoever has been called upon has gone in and done the job this season, and that’s all we’ve got to hope for again.
“We’ve earned the right to go there, and selection wise some tough decisions will have to be made. But that’s what being a manager is about, and it’s about the players just going and performing.
“Jon as continued to train in case we did get through, because he wants that opportunity. He now has that. We’ve got a really good group here, and we all want to get ourselves over the line. There’s one big effort to go as we look to do that.”
