Ben Barclay is set to make his Carlisle United comeback in the coming days.

In a welcome injury boost for Paul Simpson, the defender is close to a return from a calf problem.

United’s manager has not ruled out a place in the squad for Barclay at Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

A more likely return should come against Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s in next Tuesday’s EFL Trophy group game.

Summer signing Barclay has only made two first-team appearances this season and Simpson is looking forward to having the 26-year-old back.

“He’s been frustrated,” said Simpson of the defender’s recent absence.

“I think he wanted to be involved on Tuesday too.

“We’ll just have to see come this weekend as to who we think’s the right combination to have involved.

“Ben is training really well and comes into my thinking for the weekend – if [he doesn’t feature] on Saturday then certainly for Tuesday against Forest.”

Simpson says he expects no fresh injury issues for the trip to Bolton despite United assessing a few “niggles”.

He also gave an update on the progress of United’s other sidelined players.

“Dylan McGeouch is progressing ok [after a calf injury] – he’s done a run on the treadmill today and we’re hoping if he has no reaction to that he’ll come out on the grass tomorrow and do some running,” the manager said.

News and Star: Dylan McGeouch is set to step up his return from injuryDylan McGeouch is set to step up his return from injury (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“Taylor Charters has done some good strength work on his hamstring and we’re hoping to go to the next stage of it over the next couple of days.

“With JJ Kayode, the [shoulder] operation has gone well and he’s doing the early stages of his rehab at Rotherham.

“We’re going to just wait and see over the next few weeks because he can’t do anything yet, but if we can get him back up here to start doing the non-contact football then we will.

“We’re looking at the end of October for Dylan, end of November for Taylor, and middle to end of December for JJ. That’s where they are but they’re progressing well at the moment.”