Promising Carlisle United midfielder Kai Nugent has been ruled out of the start of the season with injury.

The first-year pro is sidelined for about five or six weeks.

It follow an ankle injury the 18-year-old suffered in United’s pre-season friendly at Gretna 2008 on Tuesday.

Assistant manager Gavin Skelton said Carlisle were relieved it was not a more serious problem.

But he admitted it was a disappointment to lose Nugent, who had been performing brightly in pre-season but was wearing a protective boot on his left foot as he watched his team-mates in Saturday's 3-0 win at Workington Reds.

“It’s not good news, but it’s not as bad as we first feared,” said the Blues coach.

“It’s going to be a few weeks, possibly five or six, and that’s disappointing because he’s a young pro, he’s full of enthusiasm and he’s started brightly with the first-team in training and games.

“He was gutted when he rolled his ankle a little bit on Tuesday but hopefully it will be a matter of weeks, and not longer term.”

Nugent had impressed against Annan and Gretna, scoring his first goal as a professional against the latter.

That followed his productive loan spell at Workington Reds last season, and a second year in United’s Under-18 set-up where he was named their youth player of the season.

On the teenager’s comeback prospects, Skelton added: “You never know – hopefully he’s a quick healer, he’s a young boy. Kai will push himself.

“It’s disappointing for him but we’re not over concerned [about the longer term].”

Skelton, meanwhile, said midfielder Owen Moxon was substituted at half-time as a precaution at Borough Park.

The Denton Holme star was replaced by Jayden Harris at the break.

Asked if there was any concern over Moxon, United's assistant manager said: "Hopefully not - he felt something but hopefully it’s nothing.

"There’s no point taking any risks and he got 45 minutes work."