Jon Mellish looks set to return to the fold for Carlisle United at Rochdale today.

The defender missed the Blues’ last pre-season game at St Mirren because of a family matter.

But United’s longest-serving player has been back in training this week.

He can expect an outing at the Crown Oil Arena (kick-off 3pm) as Carlisle start the two-week countdown to the new season.

If Mellish does figure today it will be the 26-year-old’s first outing since revelations that Carlisle had rejected an offer for the versatile player earlier in the transfer window, with Wigan Athletic understood to have been the interested party.

Manager Paul Simpson today takes his squad to the place where he started his managerial career.

Other issues facing the Blues boss include the fitness of Cameron Harper.

He missed the St Mirren game because of discomfort in his groin, arising from the previous friendly at Workington Reds when the summer signing had to be replaced in the first half.

Simpson is hoping United’s precautionary actions will see the Scot quickly back to availability.

Cameron HarperCameron Harper (Image: Ben Holmes)

Striker Georgie Kelly, meanwhile, could get a longer outing this afternoon after his 15-minute cameo at St Mirren in his first appearance of pre-season.

The Irish striker was nursed through the early weeks of summer after a problem with his calf during the close-season.

But Kelly is now back involved and ready to press his case for a place as United build up to the big kick-off at Gillingham on August 10.

After today’s encounter with Jim McNulty’s National League hosts, Carlisle face further fifth-tier opposition at Gateshead next Tuesday before taking on League One new boys Stockport County at home in their final friendly.

Simpson is expected to use the last three pre-season games to fine-tune some of his plans for the curtain-raiser.

Some players could get 90 minutes for the first time this afternoon. At St Mirren the trio of Harry Lewis, Terell Thomas and Sam Lavelle all played the full game.

Rochdale last night announced that manager McNulty had signed a new three-year deal, while they could involve new signing Ody Alfa, who joined from Chelmsford City this week.