Georgie Kelly set for Carlisle United squad at Peterborough

The striker, who joined on February 1's transfer deadline day, will travel with the squad for the Good Friday game provided he comes through Thursday’s training session unscathed.

Kelly has been working his way back from a calf problem but is now closer than ever from making his first appearance in a United shirt.

A start for the ex-Rotherham United man at London Road is unlikely but a place on the bench could be realistic as manager Paul Simpson welcomes the 27-year-old into contention for the first time.

“He will travel – he will be in the squad to travel to Peterborough,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“Well, that said, [he will] if he comes through training okay tomorrow.

“But his rehab has gone really well. He seems in a real good place. He seems a great character. And so I'm really pleased to get him involved with us.”

Kelly joined United from Rotherham on February 1's deadline day but has yet to make an appearance (Image: Richard Parkes)

Kelly has so far been frustrated in his hope of making an impact on United’s struggling League One campaign.

Simpson, though, has always stressed that the former Bohemians favourite was also signed with the longer-term in mind.

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He said he will be worked into things gradually now he is ready for action with a United side who are close to relegation.

“He’s a number nine, that's what he is – he’s a target man striker, somebody who leads the line, he's got a good physical presence up there.

“He is a good athlete. And he's got a good goalscoring record when he's had opportunities to play. So I'm hoping he's going to add that to us.

“I don't think it's something that we can expect him just to come straight in and hit the ground straight away and do all of those.

“But if we can just blood him in gently, and get him back involved with the group, I'm hoping he will turn out to be a real good addition to the football club.”

United have no other fresh injury problems, Simpson said, while the Cumbrians are still awaiting full clarity on the way forward with midfielder Josh Vela’s knee injury which is set to keep him out for the rest of the campaign.

“The surgeon ended up having to go in and do surgery rather than seeing Josh and I actually think his appointment has changed to tomorrow morning,” said Simpson.

“It was supposed to be on Tuesday. We’re hoping they'll be a bit more clarity tomorrow on that one. And we can see where we go from there.”