Omari Patrick is “not a million miles away” from being back in action for Carlisle United, says Gavin Skelton.

The attacker has been sidelined since October with a hamstring injury.

But the pacy forward is getting closer to a comeback.

Tomorrow's rearranged trip to Northampton Town will come too soon for Patrick, while the recent impact of the weather on training facilities has also restricted his progress somewhat.

But assistant manager Skelton said it will not be long before the 26-year-old can rejoin United’s campaign.

“He’s getting there,” said Skelton.

“The weather has stopped us getting outside as much as we’d have liked, and technically players need that longer distance to hit their top speed to know where they’re at.

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“He’s doing enough work. Things might have held him back one or two days, but he’s not a million miles off.”

The return of Patrick will provide a boost to Paul Simpson as United aim to remain at the right end of League Two over the winter period.

Simpson, who said Patrick may not return until after the Boxing Day clash with his former club Bradford City, this week said United had picked up some “innocuous” injury niggles in training.

Skelton said Saturday's Northampton postponement could give some of those players – who have not been named – the opportunity to be fit for the rearranged game at Sixfields on Tuesday.

“Those who picked things up in training and might have been struggling this weekend, it gives them a chance for Tuesday,” said the coach.

Defender Ben Barclay is also on the comeback trail after his latest ankle injury.

“Hopefully he won’t be too [long] either,” added Skelton.

“It’s not months, it’s weeks.

“He’s had it tough. He worked hard to get back fit and then a tackle in the Blackpool [Central League Cup] game on an ankle has set him back. But hopefully he’s not a million miles off either.”

Skelton says he is looking forward to having Stockport County loanee Barclay back available, and not just for his defensive attributes.

“He’s a good talker,” said Simpson’s No2. “In training you hear the information he passes on, and he demands.

“He’s not just a good player, I like the other side of him at well – a leader in terms of what he expects and is happy to let people know, which we all crave.

“Coaches and managers always ask for it and he does give us that. Hopefully he’s not too far away and can put pressure on the other centre halves.”

Tuesday’s rearrangement means United will have to shelve a planned reserve game at Accrington Stanley on the same day.

That will cost Joel Senior the chance of another outing as he continues to build up his fitness after his return from the sidelines.

“Joel needs games after a long-term injury,” said Skelton.

“The reserve game would have been a good game to get him further forward, so that’s one minor frustration.

“He looks good in training to be fair, just needs game time in his legs.”