Paul Arnison has backed Joe Colbeck to keep making his job easier.

Right back Arnison has stepped it up after a sticky start and played his part in back-to-back clean sheets that have propelled City among the early pace-setters.

The two blanks in the victories over Macclesfield Town and Rochdale have coincided with winger Colbeck's return from suspension.

And Arnison believes the current player of the year can have just as big an influence within the team defending as pouring forward.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus he said: "Joe works so hard, not for himself but the team, and comes back to help out so much. As a full back, it's good to have a winger in front of you doing that."

Arnison enjoyed a good battle with former Carlisle team-mate Adam Rundle as City kept the shackles on Dale last week and believes he is up to speed now after a summer operation on his knee.

"I've done all right but I know there's a lot more to come from me," he added. "I missed the first ten days of pre-season so had to play a bit of catch-up but I've had four 90 minutes now so hopefully I'm up to full fitness.

"I want to get forward more but I've got to try and keep up with Omar and Joe. They are that fast that it's hard to catch them.

"But having pace in the side like that really scares defenders. When Omar knocks a ball past his marker, they've got no chance of catching up.

"If we keep it tight at the back, we know the wingers and midfield in the team will always create chances."

Arnison is the only City player who has appeared at Aldershot before. Four years ago, he was in the Carlisle side that thumped the Shots 5-0 in the Conference.

They made the long trek to Hampshire again at the end of that season in the play-offs. Aldershot won the semi-final first leg in front of a packed 6,000 crowd but the Cumbrians hit back to take the tie on penalties before going up at Wembley.

Arnison said: "They were always a decent side and, going to penalties, it could have gone either way. I remember the atmosphere was good because the ground was full and I'm sure they will be buzzing again on Saturday.

"They have just come into the league and with us winning the first three, they'll want to put one over us."

Barry Conlon's nap hand for the reserves in midweek has underlined the fierce fight for places - a battle that Stuart McCall wants to encourage.

The City boss said: "Baz will admit that he probably had one of his worst games in a City jersey against Huddersfield but it hasn't affected him and he's bounced straight back.

"You know what you'll get from Baz and he's trained ever so well. Last season things were hitting the post or he was missing them, but even in training everything is going in now and scoring five goals will give his confidence a real lift.

"Yes, Thorney and Boulding are looking threatening at the moment but I've no doubts that Baz will come in at some stage and do a good job.

"It's difficult naming a squad of 18 to travel, let alone the starting 11, and one or two will be disappointed."