Mike Williamson has hailed the response of Jack Ellis and Luke Armstrong to their periods out of favour at Carlisle United.

The duo returned to the side at Port Vale as the Blues battled their way to a point.

Head coach Williamson called on the pair as he made changes amid an illness and injury-affected spell at Brunton Park.

He said both Ellis and Armstrong had earned a fresh opportunity because of how they have trained, with the duo having been omitted from matchday squads in recent weeks.

“In football, things can turn in a second and that's why you've just got to keep working hard, get your head down and affect things that you can,” said Williamson.

“There have been lads that have been very unlucky being out of the squad and not getting the amount of game time [they will have wanted], so you've just got to do what you can and give everything until the very end.

“That's what they're doing, that's what they've done in training.

Luke Armstrong was back in the side after a spell out of the squad (Image: Richard Parkes)

“They've deserved their chance and they've come in and they've taken it.”

Ellis, who came in at right wing-back at Port Vale, made his first league start of the season in the goalless draw.

The 21-year-old Cumbrian’s previous start came back in April for the 1-0 home defeat to Blackpool in League One.

Both he and Armstrong – who started for the first time since October’s win at Salford City – could now have pushed their way into contention for involvement in the Boxing Day clash with Morecambe.

“I thought both were brilliant, I thought they were just two really honest, hard-working lads,” added Williamson.

“I thought their quality was really good and I thought Luke was unlucky not to get a goal, but his all-round game was outstanding.”

END OF YEAR SALE: Get unlimited access to our in-depth Carlisle United coverage for £25 for all of 2025 or £6 for 6 months - click HERE