Sidelined Carlisle United midfielder Ethan Robson has received a boost with the news he does not need to go under the knife.

There had been concerns that Robson would require surgery on the hamstring injury which has ruled him out of the opening months of the season.

But that prospect has been allayed after a consultation with medical specialists in recent days.

Summer signing Robson will still be out for between ten and 12 weeks but United are relieved his lay-off will not be even longer.

“There's no surgery required,” manager Paul Simpson told the News & Star.

“It's just a case of managing it.

“He wasn’t in the club [last week] – we asked him just to stay away and rest up, before coming back in this week.

“So it's good news in terms of not needing surgery but it's still the same time scale.”

United are also assessing the groin injury suffered by Robson’s fellow midfielder Dylan McGeouch in Saturday’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Stockport County.

Simpson said the Scot would be doubtful for this weekend’s League Two opener at Gillingham.

The Carlisle boss is keen to add to his midfield ranks with new signings, whilst also hoping Taylor Charters can make a quick return having missed the Stockport game because of some discomfort in his hamstring.

Josh Vela and Harrison Neal are Simpson’s main, fit central midfield options.

Simpson is also weighing up Ben Barclay’s capabilities in the position after the defender came off the bench to replace McGeouch in the 18th minute against Stockport.

Barclay played in the holding midfield area for the rest of the game and Simpson believes the ex-Stockport man has the footballing qualities that make him an option in the position.

United’s other senior central midfielder, Callum Guy, remains on the comeback trail from last November’s ACL injury.