Last updated 08:36, Friday, 05 September 2008

Manager John Ward said Carlisle United’s unbeaten start to the League One campaign has vindicated his decision not to make deadline-day buys.

Young defender Dan Wordsworth’s loan move to Kendal Town was the only deal at Brunton Park on Monday.

And Ward, who should name an unchanged side for Southend’s visit tomorrow, said: “The strength of the squad is apparent at the moment.

“We will have Scott Dobie back from suspension after Saturday, Josh Gowling is fit again and that only leaves Chris Lumsdon injured. It’s a reason why I didn’t have to jump into the transfer market. I didn’t feel it was necessary at the moment.”

Luke Joyce, Michael Bridges, Gary Madine and Grant Smith all scored for the reserves in Wednesday’s 4-1 Central League Cup win at Hartlepool and Ward said their efforts underlined the intense competition for places.

Left-back Darren Campion missed that game through illness and he will not be considered for tomorrow’s squad, although he should return to training on Monday.

Southend boss Steve Tilson is without midfield duo Alan McCormack (knee) and Franck Moussa (banned) tomorrow, while left-back Dan Harding and midfielder Anthony Grant are both doubts.

But Tilson should give a debut to veteran former Leeds striker Dougie Freedman, who scored three times against United last season and was one of the key men responsible for their play-off defeat at the hands of the Yorkshire club in May.