Terell Thomas will get a scan for the hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out of Carlisle United’s lineup.
However, the return of Georgie Kelly and Aaron Hayden to fitness this weekend gives head coach Mike Williamson more confidence.
Defender Thomas pulled up hurt during the first half of Saint Lucia’s loss to Curacao this week, so he will miss the visit from Doncaster Rovers.
He will return to Carlisle later this week to assess the full scope of the issue.
“We’re looking at [seeing him] at the end of the week,” Williamson stated. To properly evaluate it, he will need to be scanned, and we will simply have to wait and watch what transpires without making any assumptions.
Hayden is back in training after the illness that kept him out of the 1-1 draw at Bromley. Williamson said: “We’ve built him up this week, but he’ll be in full training now, so [there are] issues.”
Additionally, following his recuperation from a calf injury, striker Kelly might be eligible to make his matchday team debut under Williamson.
Since suffering an injury during United’s 3-0 loss to Williamson’s MK Dons in late August, the former Rotherham United player has been out.
“I can see the intensity in his body language, his vocabulary, and his desire to get back since we’ve come in,” Kelly’s Blues manager said.
We’ve had to take our time with him since I can tell he’s been really frustrated with his circumstances.
Last week he trained really well and this week he’s in training.
“We are navigating frozen pitches at the minute, which is not easy, so we’ve got a few calls to make there, but hopefully he has another clean week and he’ll be available for selection.”
Williamson said Kelly’s desire is clear to leave a highly frustrating time with injuries behind him.
“I think he’s just hungry. You can see the appetite he’s got, you can see what he’s going to bring before he even steps on the pitch,” the United head coach added.
“I think he’s really going to help us and take us to the next level as long as we can keep him fit and got to be careful with him.
“Touch wood, he gets no ongoing issues and we can just keep building that and really integrate him back into the team.”
Harrison Biggins, a midfielder, is unlikely to make it back in time to play against his old team, Doncaster, on Saturday due to a minor knee injury.
“United’s head physiotherapist Sophie [Birnie] is working hard with him; he won’t be gone for long, but it might be a bit too early for the weekend.”
Jordan Jones, a winger, is also back on the training pitch and is getting closer to making a comeback even if he won’t be returning this weekend.
“I am, he is, and the entire team is eager for him to return, but we must ensure that it is not too soon,” Williamson stated.
He has a lot of training to do this week. It was entertaining to watch him participate in the small-sided games.
We’ve just got to make sure he gets through today, recovers well, and then he’s probably looking at another clean training week before he’s available.”
Williamson has midfielder Harrison Neal back from suspension this weekend but defender Ben Barclay will serve a one-game ban.
Carlisle, meanwhile, have delayed training today in the hope they can train on grass, after more freezing overnight conditions.
“We’ve got a later start today, to just try and give us every chance of the grass being thawed out, because that’s optimum for the lads and consistency is really important as well,” said Williamson.
“But there’s a chance that if it’s not fully softened out then we’ll have to go on 4G, which means we’ll have to compensate for the [training] load with the surface.
“But this is what most teams [have to weigh up], unless you’re lucky enough to have those luxury facilities.”
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