Injured January signing Josh Vela doesn’t need surgery, but he won’t play again for Carlisle United this season.
Manager Paul Simpson gave an update on Vela and also reported significant progress for another transfer window recruit Georgie Kelly.
Simpson said: “Josh Vela’s surgeon appointment was delayed because the surgeon got called into surgery. He’s had his appointment this morning and I’ve just been given the update that he doesn’t need surgery.
“There is still some bone damage there, but the surgeon believes if we just allow it to settle down, he won’t need surgery.
“He still won’t play this season, but now that he doesn’t need the surgery he should be fit for the start of pre-season.”
The news on Kelly is that the former Rotherham striker will accompany the squad for tomorrow’s tough task at Peterborough.
Simpson said: “Georgie has had a full week of training so he’s going to come into the squad as well. It’s definitely too early for him to start, but if we can get him introduced into it and maybe get him some minutes as the game goes on, then we’ll try and do that.
“We’ve got to make sure we manage him properly because he’s here for the long-term and he’s a player who I’m hoping will really add something to the group.
“He’s had as frustrating a time as we’ve had with it. It will be good to get him on the coach and get him down to Peterborough with us as part of the group. He’s already a big part of it because he’s been in every day doing his rehab and he’s trained fully this week. We’ll see how he goes, but it’s good to get him back involved.”
Simpson appreciates the task ahead of his side against a highly-rated Peterborough team.
“It’s a brilliant test for us. I thought they were outstanding in the first half an hour when we played them here and other people I’ve spoken to have also said they’re the best side they’ve faced this season.
“It’s a brilliant game for us to look forward to. I always like going to Peterborough, it’s a tight ground and they’ve got really passionate fans. We know our fans will make noise because they do everywhere we go.
“We’ve got to make sure we enjoy the occasion by enjoying our performance. They’re a good side, they’ve got three or four players who are up in the top goalscorer charts, so we know they’re a threat, but we also feel there are opportunities for us to win the ball back in good areas to go and cause them problems.
“It’s up to us to go and do that, we’ve got to make sure we get our shape right which will hopefully mean we go and get a positive result,” said Simpson.
