Gavin Skelton said the three players missing for Carlisle United at Kendal were injured – as he described rumours about Omari Patrick as “laughable”.

The Blues’ assistant manager gave little credence to online speculation about the forward which surfaced last night.

Rumours linking the forward with a move away from the Blues were the talk of social media, fuelled by Patrick’s absence from the squad for the 9-0 win at Parkside Road.

But Skelton laughed off the speculation and said Patrick, along with fellow absentees Sam Fishburn and Taylor Charters, was not involved because of a “slight injury”.

“It is news to me,” the coach said of the Patrick rumours.

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“That’s not just me batting it back or leaving it outside off [stump]. That is news to me. He genuinely has got a knock and hopefully he’s not too long.”

Supporters feared rumours linking Patrick to Tranmere Rovers could see one of Paul Simpson's key attacking players leave.

But Skelton maintained he was unaware of any such prospect and added: “He’s got a niggle, and he’s not here – that’s genuinely it.

“It’s amazing how [things] start and what people say.

“He got a niggle at the start of training on Monday, we don’t expect him to be out long term – we expect him, if he can’t make Saturday [at Workington], not to be too much longer after that.

“He’s in the building today doing his rehab. It [the rumour] is a laughable one as far as I’m aware.

“Apparently it was on social media, and like I’ve always said, I’m not on there, so it’s interesting because obviously anybody can put anything on.

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“As far as I and the manager are aware there’s nothing at all in those rumours.”

Midfielder Charters and striker Fishburn missed their second pre-season game at Parkside Road.

On the chances of the absent trio returning at Borough Park on Saturday, Skelton added: “It might be too soon but I don’t think it will be getting later into pre-season. After Saturday I’d hope they’ll be back involved.”