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"After what happened against Cardiff, we need a good win to give the lads a bit of confidence. The Carling Cup is our next game and, as such, demands our full focus. We want to do well in front of our home supporters and we want to progress in the Carling Cup.
"It's an important game and it's a competition we would like to have a run in and, as a team and as a group, we want to get through to the next round. If we can play well and beat Carlisle, it will set us up nicely for a massive game here against Middlesbrough at the weekend.
"Carlisle are a decent team and they have a few names in their squad. They're a League One side and, as Brentford showed us in the last round, there sometimes isn't much of a difference between that division and the Championship.
"Even after our poor performance at Cardiff, it will be a shock if Carlisle beat us. Upsets will happen and we have to make sure we're not one of them. We know the dangers and we know we have to be up for this game and ready for Carlisle.
"There are a few lads still suffering and a couple more showing symptoms, so we'll leave it late before assessing the situation. We probably won't know our team until the day of the game. (David) Clarkson is one of the boys who has been sent for blood tests and he's not quite right."
Meanwhile City midfielder Marvin Elliott commented to the Evening Post :
"There was a lot of disappointment after the Cardiff game, not just with the result, but with the way we played. We know we're better than that. We never got our game going and didn't deserve anything from the match. The fact it was a big derby game in front of the Sky TV cameras just made it worse. After what happened, it's good to have another game so soon.
"It's a big game for us and it gives us a chance to put the poor performance at Cardiff to rest. Carlisle are no mugs and they're not going to come here and roll over for us. We can't afford to take them for granted at all, but it's an opportunity for us to produce our best game and get some confidence back. We're favourites to win and we're going to go out there and put in a professional performance and put the record straight.
"A big draw in the next round is a big incentive for us. We want to test ourselves against the best teams and playing at home gives us a chance to do that. We've seen what the Carling Cup did for Burnley when they reached the semi-final last season and it's a competition we want to do well in. A good run in the cup can give all of us a lift and stand us in good stead in the Championship."
In team news for the home side defenders Bradley Orr and striker David Clarkson are likely to miss out due to the sickness bug that has been going around Ashton Gate at the moment, while defender Lewin Nyatanga is sidelined with mumps. In better news for City though midfielder Cole Skuse and captain and centre-half Louis Carey are definitely available after the pair recently returned to training following calf injuries.
The referee for tonight's match is Andy Penn from Kingswinford in the West Midlands, and he will be assisted down the lines by Geoff Law from Leicester and Guy Stretton from Enderby, also in Leicestershire. Meanwhile the fourth official is Lee Swabey from Plymouth.