Carlisle United midfielder Jamie Devitt is set for several weeks out after a scan revealed he has torn a thigh muscle.

But there is better news on the return to fitness of striker Ryan Edmondson, whose ankle problem is not as bad as feared.

Blues assistant manager Gavin Skelton gave an update on the duo at a press conference today.

He confirmed that Devitt was facing a significant lay-off.

“It’s not good news. He’s got a tear in his thigh,” said Skelton.

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“Jamie’s disappointed, we’re disappointed. He’s a massive part of the squad and you’ve seen, when he does have game time, the influence he can have.

“In terms of timescale, we’re not too sure yet – we’ll probably get more detail off the physio and specialists. But it won’t be a couple of weeks.”

It is the latest injury blow to strike Devitt, who signed a one-year deal with the Blues in the summer after an injury-hit end to 2021/22.

Skelton said the 32-year-old would get all the support possible as he deals with the disappointment.

“It will be tough – I think he was disappointed when getting the news which is natural, anyone would be,” the coach said.

“But knowing him, he will be probably flat for a day or so, but then he’ll come in, and he’s always positive around the lads.

“He has a real good impact around everybody, and it will be the same this time I’m sure. But we’ll have to rally around him because it’s disappointing news for him.”

On striker Edmondson, Skelton said things were looking brighter.

The former Leeds United man injured his ankle in the recent 3-3 draw against Rochdale.

Skelton said that, after latest assessments, “hopefully it’s not going to be too long term. It’s better than we [feared].

“He won’t be back this weekend or next Tuesday, but hopefully he shouldn’t be too far away, which is a boost.

“He’s not back jogging on the pitch yet, he’ll probably start that next week. Hopefully, touching wood, he doesn’t feel anything and can progress with that, and he can start doing some running building towards a return to training.”

On some of United’s other sidelined players, Skelton added: “Ben Barclay was out on the grass today doing a few runs so that’s good news.

“Tobi Sho-Silva should be getting closer in the next couple of weeks, and Joel Senior won’t be too far off from starting with jogging and running.

“Hopefully we’ll see people coming back, maybe not in the medium term, but certainly not in the too far distant future.”