Dylan McGeouch is set to make his Carlisle United comeback today.

The summer signing, back from a hamstring injury, is expected to play in this afternoon’s reserve clash with Wigan Athletic.

Paul Simpson plans to field the ex-Celtic man in the Central League Cup game as he continues his return.

United’s boss hopes it will prove a positive afternoon in McGeouch’s return to availability for the Cumbrians.

“Dylan will be involved,” said Simpson ahead of the second-string outing, having not included McGeouch in his squad at Port Vale on Saturday.

“He needed a full week of training, so he’s done all of that. He’s done some work over the weekend as well, so he’ll play [today] and see where he goes from there.”

McGeouch has made just two appearances since his summer move and will now hope to step up his push to become a key player for United.

Simpson will use the game at Wigan's training ground (kick-off 1pm) to give important game time to other players who have been on the fringes of things so far this season.

That could also mean another outing for loan signing Terry Ablade, as well as others in need of minutes such as Jayden Harris, Corey Whelan, Dan Butterworth, Jack Robinson, Ben Barclay and Jack Ellis.

Joe Garner could also get another reserve outing after he was left out of Saturday’s matchday squad.

Speaking about the experienced frontman’s omission from the 1-0 defeat at Port Vale, manager Simpson said: “It was the mix I wanted on the bench.

“I had a conversation with Joe on Thursday where I said, ‘Look, I’d like you in the squad, I’m happy for you to come, but you’re not going to be on the bench because of the mix I’m doing, so would you rather stay at home and do some work or travel down?’

“He said, ‘I’d rather stay at home and do my work, and come back in on Monday’.

“I’ve got no issue with that. He’s a senior player, and if they’re not going to be involved I always give them that opportunity of working back at home rather than sitting as the 19th man.”

Simpson believes today’s game will be an important exercise for the Cumbrians.

He added: “The lads who are not getting minutes will get some more minutes – it was really clear to see at Blackburn [in last week’s reserve friendly] that there were lads short on match fitness, and we need to keep working, to keep them at it, then see what next weekend brings.”

Stephen Crainey's Wigan Under-21 side - last season's Central League Cup finalists - will be the opposition at the Latics' Christopher Park training ground.

Barrow and Blackpool, who won the competition last term, are also in Group C with Wigan and the Blues.