Georgie Kelly is looking in good shape as he edges closer to a return to Carlisle United action, says Paul Simpson.

But the Irish striker is unlikely to make his playing comeback this week.

Kelly has been nursed through the early stages of pre-season after suffering discomfort in his calf muscle during the close-season.

He is yet to feature in United’s friendlies and the prospect of that changing on Friday at St Mirren seems remote.

But manager Simpson says one of Carlisle’s following friendlies should see the 27-year-old finally in action as he progresses.

Kelly is with the squad at a training camp at the University of St Andrews this week.

“He's going to be dropping into the football sessions,” said Simpson of this week’s plan for the Irish centre-forward.

“He's done quite a lot of rehab work – well, a load of rehab work, and he's looking in a good state, he's got no issues.

“But we've just got to make sure he's right. Barring any setbacks, he will be fit probably for the Gateshead game or maybe even the Stockport game, but we'll wait and see on that.”

After Friday’s game at St Mirren, Carlisle go to Rochdale the following Saturday.

A midweek trip to Gateshead will come after that before their final friendly comes at home to Stockport County a week before the start of the League Two season.