Carlisle United hope their approach to pre-season will pay off in terms of reducing their injury list.

The Blues were beset by problems last season with a number of players sidelined across the campaign.

Paul Simpson’s side had to defy their injury run on their run to promotion.

But the tally of their injuries left manager Simpson and his staff determined to find ways of reducing the problems.

Assistant manager Gavin Skelton said that has been reflected in how they have managed particular players’ workload this summer.

That applies in pre-season friendlies as well as work on the training ground.

United are heading towards the final week of pre-season without any of their senior figures sidelined.

Young midfielder Kai Nugent is out with an ankle injury, while Owen Moxon overcame a minor hip issue recently, but the Cumbrians are otherwise unscathed.

Reflecting on last season’s issues, Skelton said: “We’ve looked at that, [with things like] game time and training, for that reason.

“You try and learn. Hopefully we can continue that run.

News and Star: Young midfielder Kai Nugent is United's only injury absentee at presentYoung midfielder Kai Nugent is United's only injury absentee at present (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I don’t want to jinx it but it is important we have everyone fit, and hopefully at the moment we are – apart from Kai – in a good place and that gives you a power of strength.”

Simpson, speaking at the start of pre-season, said he had asked the club’s physio Chris Brunskill to look into the situation after United’s injury tally in 2022/23.

In particular there was concern over the number of hamstring injuries Carlisle suffered.

United also suffered some key injuries last pre-season with Brennan Dickenson, Taylor Charters and Tobi Sho-Silva among those sidelined for significant spells.

Simpson said United had been looking at how they travel to away games, as well as closer scrutiny on the “screening” of players’ condition when they return to training after a game.

United found that they lost 25 per cent of available match minutes across their squad during their League Two promotion campaign.

The Cumbrians face Dundee United tomorrow in their final pre-season friendly.