One of the best in the league: Bristol Rovers will be Carlisle United’s biggest test predicts Blues manager

Bristol Rovers will be Carlisle United’s biggest test to date, says their manager Paul Simpson.

The Gas are up at Brunton Park today as they hope to continue their four game winning run, with the automatic promotion spots near.

Simpson, who was coaching at Bristol City at the start of the season, has been back in the dugout for the last six matches.

He has overseen five wins and one defeat with that one loss being against Rovers’ promotion rivals Newport County.

But despite coming up against some tricky teams, it is Rovers’ who he believes will be the toughest opposition to face since his return to Cumbria.

"I’ve never come up against Joey Barton, so I’m really looking forward to our team going up against his team,” the 55-year-old said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“I think it’ll be a really good test and it’s a chance for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the league, and see whether or not the league table is a reflection of what we are, or whether we maybe should be higher.

"This, I think, will be our biggest test. I think they’re a good footballing side, a well organised side, they’ve got good individuals and I’m quite sure somebody with the mentality and experience of Joey Barton will get them properly wound up and ready to play.”

Rovers have been boosted by the fact that Elliot Anderson has remained with the squad rather than going away for international duty.

Anderson, who was called up by the Scotland under-21’s squad was expected to miss today’s game but after training with the team all week, he is now in contention.

He alongside the likes of Antony Evans, Harry Anderson and top scorer Aaron Collins, are tipped to cause problems against a makeshift defence.

Simpson said: "I know Joey works really hard to get a good spirit amongst them, I’m sure they’ve got that. They’ve got talented players, they play with a really high intensity, they want the ball quickly, they’re quick from free-kicks.

"We’ve got to be absolutely switched on and on our A game this weekend otherwise we’ll be in for a really tough afternoon."