Blues boss talks up Barclay as he plans to fill Thomas void

Mike Williamson has backed last-action hero Ben Barclay to fill the void left by Terell Thomas at Carlisle United.

The Blues head coach has a defensive decision to make at Bromley this weekend with Thomas away on international duty.

But Williamson talked up Barclay’s attributes as he weighs up his selection for the long trip to south east London.

Barclay came off the bench to head United’s dramatic winner at Salford City last weekend and now looks in pole position to start.

“We’ve got a couple of suspensions, and Terell's away,” said Williamson.

“But ultimately, the boys that came in [against Morecambe in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday] did extremely well and gave me a lot of thoughts and headaches.

“Barcs has been brilliant. Every time he's been called upon, he's come in [and done well].

“He scored the winner last Saturday, and put a really good performance in against Morecambe.

“So, we've got that strength in depth.”

Barclay captained United at Morecambe on Tuesday (Image: Richard Parkes)

Barclay captained United at Morecambe as the Blues won 2-1 to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since March 2023. Another option at centre-back would be to restore Jon Mellish to the position after he played at wing-back against Salford.

They will now seek consecutive league wins in their first ever clash with EFL new boys Bromley.

Williamson made ten changes to his XI in midweek, resting Mellish, Aaron Hayden, Gabe Breeze, Sam Lavelle, Callum Guy, Tyler Burey, Harrison Biggins, Daniel Adu-Adjei and Dominic Sadi.

They should all return to the mix for the Bromley clash, while Harrison Neal and Ethan Robson are suspended and the latter set for a scan on a fresh hamstring problem. Thomas is with Saint Lucia ahead of their clash with Curacao next Monday in the CONCACAF Nations League.

United’s boss must also decide whether to bring Ben Williams back into the league squad after his goalscoring return to action at Morecambe.

The Blues head coach now has a range of options in the left wing-back position with Cameron Harper, Taylor Charters and Jack Robinson also all available, and Mellish having started in the role at Salford.

Kadeem Harris will also be pushing for another role at Bromley after his second Blues outing at Morecambe.