Dylan McGeouch is a doubt for Carlisle United’s first game of the season after a groin injury forced him out of the Blues’ friendly against Stockport County.

The Scottish midfielder went off after 18 minutes of the 2-1 victory at Brunton Park.

While manager Paul Simpson described the substitution as precautionary, he did admit that he is not confident of McGeouch being fit for the trip to Gillingham next Saturday.

Saying that 31-year-old McGeouch had felt a “little twinge” after a block tackle, the Blues boss told the News & Star: “It was precautionary because we weren't prepared to take risks – but I don't think it's straightforward that he's going to be fit for next weekend.

“I think he's very, very doubtful at the moment from what I've been told.

“But we'll assess it on Monday and we'll see how he is. As I sit here at the moment, I'm not confident he'll be fit for Gillingham.”

Midfield is an area of concern for the Cumbrians, with Ethan Robson out for about three months with a hamstring injury.

Taylor Charters also sat out the Stockport game with a hamstring injury, although that is not felt to be serious.

Simpson said the west Cumbrian felt some “fatigue” in the muscle in the latter stages of Tuesday’s friendly at Gateshead.

The hamstring was still tight in training on Friday so Charters was not risked against Stockport.

But Simpson said: “I think and I'm hoping that Taylor will be okay to train on Monday.

“We were being very, very cautious because of his history and we don't want to take any risks with anybody.”

Midfield remains a priority recruitment area for the Cumbrians as the new season approaches.

Josh Vela took a knock against Stockport but was able to continue, while goalscoring debutant striker Daniel Adu-Adjei was substituted after 45 minutes.

Simpson said that was always the plan with the Bournemouth loanee in his first Blues outing.

Adu-Adjei opened the scoring for United and, after Kyle Wootton’s leveller, Luke Armstrong fired Carlisle to victory in their final outing before the 2024/25 League Two campaign gets under way.