Carlisle United 'concerned' by Taylor Charters injury

The Cumbrian midfielder limped out of last night’s Fred Conway Cumberland Cup tie at Carlisle City.

In the first half Charters pulled up when chasing a ball and, despite treatment, could not continue.

It appeared the Wembley shoot-out hero had hurt his hamstring but Skelton said the nature of the problem would have to be determined.

“It’s concerning. We’re concerned,” said the coach.

“He’ll get it sorted, [but] it is concerning when that happens, especially with his history.”

Charters had to fight back from hamstring injuries last season and the 21-year-old will be hoping not to face another lay-off.

• Report: Carlisle United edge past Carlisle City on penalties

On United’s other absentees last night, Skelton added: “Dylan McGeouch is still not quite right.

“Ben Barclay is getting there, he’s training again, which is a positive, but unfortunately Dylan hasn’t trained.

“Corey Whelan was out with illness. It’s disappointing for Corey because his attitude is fantastic. I suppose we missed him. He stayed away from the group today so hopefully he’ll be fine by Thursday.”

Skelton, meanwhile, admitted United were given a tough test by Carlisle City on a night the Blues only just squeezed through the county senior cup first round.

A 1-1 draw meant United needed a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory to make it past their Northern League Division One hosts.

Skelton admitted United did not do enough in the final third against Jim Nichols’ men, aside from Terry Ablade’s first goal in a Blues shirt.

Terry Ablade scored in last night's county cup tie (Image: Richard Parkes)

“We prepared correctly. We did match prep on Monday, we had a report on them so that we knew everything about them.

“They’re a really strong side, they’re doing well in their league, they’re ambitious and they’re probably the strongest [non-league] team in the area because they have some really good players.

“We knew it would be competitive and I thought if we got the first goal it would calm us down. It was a bit of a basic mistake to make after the break and that let them back in it.

“We had chances but we didn’t make the most of them in the final third.”

• Carlisle City v Carlisle United - as it happened

Ablade shot United in front late in the first half but Tom Mahone levelled for City a minute into the second half.

“We knew they were going to have a go for ten minutes after the break, like they did at the start of the game, because they have players who had points to prove,” said Skelton of a City side who included a number of ex-United players.

“Some did really well but we did need to get past that period – yet 90 seconds in it was 1-1.

“To say they had something to cling onto would be disrespectful because they had some good opportunities, they got free-kicks into our box, which we were aware of, and we knew they’d look to cause us problems.

Gavin Skelton (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“Thankfully we dealt with that, but we’ve got to be more clinical in the final third.”

Skelton insisted he could not fault United’s “effort and attitude” despite the lack of quality.

And of Ablade’s first goal for the club, the coach said: “It’s always nice to get your first goal, he’ll feel better for that.

“We’re pleased for him because when he’s come on he’s had an impact.

“That’s his first 90 minutes for a long time and it was on a very heavy pitch and it was a very competitive game, not just a bounce game. I’m sure he’ll gain strength from that.”

Ablade’s close-range finish came in front of the watching Paul Simpson, who was in the stand at Gillford Park.

“It’ll give him that boost because it’s the bread and butter for a striker,” said Skelton of the Fulham loanee.

“I know you want a 20 or 30-yarder, but to get a scrapy tap in inside the six-yard box is good.

“Sometimes that’s what we’re lacking and hopefully if he gets the opportunity he’ll do that for the first team.”