By Jon Colman

Last updated 13:48, Tuesday, 07 October 2008

JOHN Ward will finally wield the axe on his under-performing Carlisle United side tonight in a bid to avert a disastrous fifth straight defeat.

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John Ward

Manager Ward admits the Blues’ Johnstone’s Paint Trophy trip to Rochdale (Spotland, 7.45pm) has taken on much greater significance in the wake of Saturday’s dismal defeat to Tranmere.

And the United chief confirmed he is ready to dismantle the team which is sliding down the League One table.

“It’s ready for a change,” said Ward, who will come under extra pressure from fans if his team are dumped out by their opponents from League Two tonight.

“When you are doing well and winning as we were, the opportunity is there for people to stay in the side. That’s not necessarily the case now.”

Ward would not give any clues as to the players facing the axe, but there are likely to be changes across his team at Spotland.

Chris Howarth may get his chance in goal in place of Ben Williams, Luke Joyce and Grant Smith are strong contenders to start in midfield, Josh Gowling is pushing for his debut in defence, Jennison Myrie-Williams is likely to step up to the starting eleven for the first time while Michael Bridges and Gary Madine come into the reckoning up front.

Competition rules oblige Ward to name a team of “full available strength” tonight but the manager claims that does not prevent him from ringing the changes in a big way.

“The rules talk about your ‘first-team squad’, but I’m not sure you could look at many of my squad and say they are not,” he said.

“Guys like Madine, Gowling and Grant Smith can be described as first-team players even though they haven’t had a shirt recently. Whatever team I select I’m sure we won’t fall foul of any rules.”

Scott Dobie has shrugged off the knock he picked up in the Tranmere defeat while captain Paul Thirlwell is also available as his one-match ban does not kick in until next weekend’s televised league trip to MK Dons.

“The boys were a bit quieter than normal in training yesterday, but I wouldn’t expect any shouting from the rooftops anyway,” added Ward. “We have not been full of the joys of spring, but we are very strong people and determined to put things right.

“We have had a chat and made the players aware of what we are looking for from Carlisle United.

“This is a tough fixture and the importance of it has just risen for us, although I never wanted to take this competition lightly anyway. We’ve got a good reputation in this cup and I don’t want us to fall at an early stage as we did last year.

“Rochdale are a play-off team in League Two and could easily have been in our league. It would be foolish of me and the players to think it’s a comfortable ride. But winning the game would be a big fillip for the team.”

JColman@cngroup.co.uk