Mike Williamson says Carlisle United cannot afford to look beyond the 90 minutes at Port Vale today – even though the Blues’ predicament is “extreme”.

This afternoon’s clash at Vale Park (kick-off 3pm) starts a run of five games in 15 days as the bust festive period approaches.

Carlisle, bottom of League Two on goals scored, can give their survival chances a major boost with a positive winter spell.

But continued struggle will increase fears of relegation.

On the pressure on the approaching games, Williamson said: “The situation we're in is extreme, and we need as many points as we possibly can.

“But the only way we can do that is focusing on, first and foremost, getting the lads prepared and ready physically, mentally and emotionally for what's going to be a tough test [at Port Vale].

“Of course, the Christmas period is significant, but our attention can only be on the [game] right in front of us.”

A crucial spell awaits the Cumbrians... (Image: News & Star)

Williamson hopes to have Kadeem Harris back from injury this afternoon whilst hoping Dominic Sadi and Harrison Biggins also recover from minor concerns.

Josh Vela and Dylan McGeouch are ruled out with injury, with former Vale loanee Callum Guy a contender to return to the XI in midfield to face Darren Moore’s second-placed hosts.

Carlisle will be backed by a strong travelling support in Burslem as they bid to escape the relegation zone in the last game before Christmas, having sold 645 tickets for the trip.

Only a win would give the Blues that chance, with third-bottom Swindon Town two points in front of Carlisle and 23rd-placed Morecambe. Swindon are at home to Grimsby Town while Morecambe host Bromley.

Mike Williamson (Image: Richard Parkes)

Williamson says improving United’s final-third threat has been the focus in training this week.

Asked about the accent on the training pitch since the 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield, he said: “Scoring goals and not conceding goals.

“So we've been doing a lot of phases of play, attack versus defence. We've been creating overloads to deal with situations at the back.

“But then on the flip side, our front line have been looking at trying to improve our entries into the box.

“I think the actual amount that we're getting isn't too far off, but the quality hasn’t been [enough].

“So all we've been focused on is a lot of phases of play, attack versus defence and trying to improve the quality.”

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