Jon Mellish is the latest Carlisle United player facing suspension.
The defender has reached five bookings, meaning he will serve a one-match ban.
Mellish will miss out on next Saturday’s home clash with Crewe Alexandra after receiving a yellow card in the 0-0 draw with Doncaster Rovers.
Rules in the EFL state that a player will serve a one-game suspension if he reaches five bookings before the 20-game mark.
The Doncaster clash was United’s 17th game of the League Two season.
Mellish’s bookings have come in quick succession, the 27-year-old having been cautioned in five of his last eight league games.
He is the fourth United player to be suspended in recent weeks.
Fellow defender Ben Barclay and midfielder Harrison Neal have served one-game bans for five bookings, while midfielder Ethan Robson – now injured – was given a three-game suspension after his red card against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
Ben Barclay, left, will return from suspension next weekend (Image: Richard Parkes)
Barclay, who had to sit out the Doncaster game, can return against Crewe.
United’s recently improved defensive solidity has come in spite of regular upheaval to their line-up at the back.
They are now without Terell Thomas until the new year because of a hamstring injury.
Aaron Hayden also missed the 1-1 draw at Bromley through illness but returned against Doncaster. Midfielder Neal was also back in Saturday’s squad after his suspension and he came off the bench in the second half.
United have two league games to go before the cut-off for five-booking suspensions.
Midfielder Josh Vela, on four bookings, must avoid being yellow-carded against Crewe and Newport County in order to escape a ban.
Dominic Sadi is on three bookings, as is Jordan Jones, who could return from injury against Crewe. Archie Davies is also on three bookings but he is out injured.
Mellish, meanwhile, will be hoping to have something to celebrate tonight.
The Blues’ longest-serving player is a finalist for the League One player of the season at the Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards.
Mellish is up against Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle, Bolton Wanderers’ Josh Sheehan and Fleetwood Town’s Brendan Wiredu for their efforts in the 2023/24 campaign.
The winner, following a public vote, will be announced at tonight’s awards ceremony at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford.
United’s community sports trust are also shortlisted in the Community Initiative of the Season (outside the Premier League) category for their Komatsu Climate Heroes project.
Everton’s former Blues loan keeper Jordan Pickford is among the nominees for the Premier League player of the season award, with Barrow’s ex-United No1 Paul Farman a contender in the League Two category.
