Suspensions and the January transfer window occupy the mind of Cheltenham manager Darrell Clarke ahead of the visit to Carlisle on Saturday.
Cheltenham have had five players sent off so far during this League One campaign, along with a total of 44 yellow cards.
Manager Clarke has also confirmed to the club website that several of his loan players have now returned to their parent clubs ahead of a January squad reshuffle.
Right wing-back Josh Williams and striker Jovan Malcolm have returned to Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion respectively, following the news on Thursday that Cam Peupion had been recalled by Brighton.
Clarke has made no secret of his desire for experienced additions during the January window, with three or four signings expected.
“Every manager in the country will want to do their business early in the window and we are no different,” he said.
“We are after a specific type of player and I don’t think the answer is young lads with where we are as a football club, going into the second half of the season trying to fight off relegation.
“Experienced heads are needed and that doesn’t mean over the hill, but with at least 100 games under their belts if possible.”
Cheltenham will begin their longest journey of the season today as they head to Carlisle United for Saturday afternoon’s League One clash at Brunton Park.
Left-sided defender Ben Williams will miss out through suspension after his red card against Leyton Orient last Saturday, but Rob Street returns after serving a three-match ban for a dismissal against Oxford United.
“We can’t afford to keep going down to 10 men and the players have been fully warned about their discipline,” Clarke said.
“We have to get it right because we want to be aggressive and on the front foot in games , but we don’t want to be losing players for silly yellow cards and suspensions.
“It’ll be good to have Rob back available and he’s trained really well. He is a model pro, who gets his head down. He’s a nice lad and someone you want to see do well in the game because he has all the attributes and the attitude to be able to kick on.”
Carlisle are 21st in League One three places and three points better off than the bottom side Cheltenham.
