PAUL Simpson has issued an update on Ben Barclay's fitness after the defender was forced off in the Blues' midweek defeat against Blackpool.

Carlisle lost 0-2 against the Tangerines on Tuesday night in the Central League Cup and Barclay was subbed off after just 33 minutes after picking up a knock.

After the game, assistant manager Gav Skelton had given an initial assessment but in today's press conference, United boss Paul Simpson gave a comprehensive update.

He said: "Bit of bad luck for Ben Barclay this week, he played in the Central League Cup game against Blackpool on Tuesday and he got smashed in a tackle midway through the first-half.

"I don't think there was any malice from the Blackpool player but it certainly was a bad tackle, it wasn't a great tackle for the lad and Ben's other ankle has just blown up now.

"He's got a lot of swelling, a lot of bruising around the joint, he's probably gonna be out for four to six weeks with it which is really disappointing," he continued.

Simmo also expressed how devastating this latest set-back is after the work done by the loanee defender to recover from his initial ankle injury.

He said: "He's absolutely gutted with it because he has worked extremely hard to get himself back.

"I was hoping he going to come through this game and he would have been a good option for us on Saturday."

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