Darren Sarll has praised Carlisle United manager Keith Curle ahead of The Cumbrians visit to Stevenage – calling him “one of the best in our league”.

Carlisle are yet to be beaten in the league this season, having won six and drawn seven of their opening 13 games.

That run has included three wins in the last three games.

And Sarll admits his team will have to be on their mettle.

He said: “Keith Curle has done terrific. Tactically, he’s one of the best managers in our league. No doubt he’ll move on, and manage higher again, so I’ve got massive respect for him in that sense.

“I learned a lot of lessons when we went away to Carlisle last year and lost 1-0.

“We played brilliantly and missed a host of chances but Keith did a few things that day which I looked back on in the post-season and thought that was clever.

“You try and learn of people like him all the time and he has done fantastic with his group of players to be 13 unbeaten.

“It’ll be a tough game but it’s a good game for us. If the boys are as frustrated as I am with what we’ve had this year and what we’re capable of doing, then now is the perfect time to go and bring your potential to the table and fulfil it.

“I think it’s a good test for our young players. They’ve got a lot of senior pros in their side as well as a lot of coming of age type footballers.

“We’re in completely different places but it’ll be another good football match, not an archaic caveman-type battle.”

Sarll also revealed that Jobi McAnuff (toe), Dean Wells (groin) and Tyler Walker (knee) are unlikely to feature tomorrow (Saturday).

Kick-off at the Lamex is at 3pm.