Billy Barr says there is “no major issue” behind Georgie Kelly’s absence from the training pitch at Carlisle United.

The striker was not involved in the main session yesterday as the media were invited to watch United train.

Earlier in the week former Rotherham United striker Kelly was doing some fitness work on a bike in the opening days of pre-season.

Joint assistant manager Barr says the Blues are taking care with how they handle the January arrival, whose early months at Brunton Park were hit by injury.

The coach says everything is tailored towards the Irish frontman firing on all cylinders for the forthcoming season.

“There's no major issue, it's just working with him differently,” Barr told the News & Star.

“We want him fit and available for the season.

“We don't want it like it unfortunately was for him last season where he ended up injured for a lot of it.

“We want to make sure that Georgie Kelly comes firing on all cylinders and adds that little bit more competition into the group.

“We don't want him for one or two games, we want him for 40-50 games if we have to.”

The majority of United’s first-team squad took part in Friday’s session, although new keeper Jude Smith was also absent in the morning.

Others recently back from injury, such as Taylor Charters, Dan Butterworth, Jack Ellis and Josh Vela, were fully involved.

And there was the welcome sight of Callum Guy doing some running work on the pitch as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

United’s four outfield summer signings so far – Cameron Harper, Aaron Hayden, Terell Thomas and Ethan Robson – all trained yesterday.

And Barr said the work to increase the number of recruits is continuing.

“[That work is] ongoing,” said Barr, who oversaw the main sessions along with fellow No2 Gavin Skelton, in the absence from the training pitch of Paul Simpson amid the manager’s recuperation from a recent knee operation.

“We’ve got good people in so far, and that's the thing – you can make any signing you want but if they're not good people it undoes what you're trying to do.

“It’s ongoing. The gaffer and Greg [Abbott, head of recruitment] are taking care of that for now and we crack on with what we're here to do.

“Everybody's looking for strikers, nothing changes in that. We’ve been in for a few so we'll see where it goes.”

Barr, who this summer signed a new deal to remain part of Simpson’s backroom staff, said he is impressed with the way players have returned.

“Football's changed over the years and pre-season used to be to get the pounds off that might have gone back on, but it's a different industry now,” he said.

“If they do things right – and I have to say they've come back in good condition – the rewards are there for them.”

After three days’ training this week, the work will be stepped up with a more intense run next week ahead of United’s first friendly next Friday, when players are expected to get 45 minutes each.

“We go into the weekend with a good earned rest and we up it a little bit next week where we're in every day and then play the game at Penrith,” said Barr.

“Hopefully by the end of next week, the lads have gone to a different place, fitness-wise.

“Then we've got the game at Penrith, so they will all get some game time in that.

“It’s just about building the fitness, and getting the football ethos into it without getting any injuries.”