Dylan McGeouch has been ruled out of the start of Carlisle United’s season – as Paul Simpson steps up efforts to strengthen his midfield before the big kick-off.

McGeouch has suffered a groin strain that will rule him out of action for two to four weeks.

The Scot’s absence further depletes United’s injury-hit midfield options for the opening day of the campaign at Gillingham this weekend.

Simpson said he is hoping to add to his squad before the big kick-off but said there were no guarantees at this stage.

On McGeouch, the Blues boss said: “We're looking at two to four weeks with it.

“It's not as bad as it could have been, but it's a grade two [strain] and that’s two to four-weeks.”

The news follows McGeouch’s 18th-minute substitution in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Stockport County.

With Ethan Robson already out for up to 12 weeks and Callum Guy not due back until October amid his ACL recovery, it leaves Carlisle short in the middle of the park.

Taylor Charters is also a doubt for the Gillingham opener with a hamstring issue not yet cleared.

On the possibility of an addition before the weekend, Simpson said: “There are a couple of things that are on the go at the moment, but I can't say I'm expecting it to happen because I honestly just don't know

“We're hoping that something might happen, but we're just going to have to wait and see.

“Even if it does happen, it might be too late for them to come straight into the team.

“We've still got a couple of training days left, so if it can happen quickly, then we might be able to do something.”

Should United be unable to bolster their midfield then Simpson could turn to defenders Ben Barclay or Jon Mellish in the centre of the park.

Other options may include Dan Butterworth should the United boss opt for a more attacking introduction.

“We have options that can do it and I think that's the good thing,” said Simpson.

“We've got five centre-backs where people like Mellish and Barclay are adaptable.

“Terrell [Thomas] can play central or left side of a back three, so we've got players who are adaptable and we'll just have to see what happens come the weekend.”

Taylor ChartersTaylor Charters (Image: Richard Parkes)

Charters is being nursed through the week after he missed the Stockport game. United are keen not to take unnecessary risks with the west Cumbrian given his history of hamstring injuries.

“He could feel something in his hamstring, so we're just going to assess him over the week and see how he is,” said Simpson, who added that he was assessing a couple of players' fitness ahead of the trip to Kent.

“Taylor's had this long-standing injury and it's both hamstrings. There's obviously something and we've tried to get to the bottom of it.

“We're looking into different things, like yoga and Pilates and stuff like that, but he's obviously still feeling something and we've got to just try and get him right.

“I'm not ruling him out yet [for the weekend], but he's certainly a doubt.”

Summer signing Robson, who was ruled out earlier in pre-season, does not need surgery but is unlikely to play before November.

“Ethan's is a 10 to 12-week injury and we have to be really careful,” said Simpson.

“I spoke to Ethan yesterday and he's certainly feeling a lot better, but the specialist has told him he will do that, but he's got to be patient because if he pushes it too soon, it'll set him back.

“So, we've just got to keep calm about that and make sure that we get him right.”

Jack Robinson, Simpson added, is due back in action in September following an ankle injury, while Anton Dudik (ankle) is close to a return to training – and Guy is on track for an October comeback.

“Callum went to get some IKD {isokinetic] tests to try and see the difference between the strengths [in his respective legs] – they're getting back very close to the levels that they should be, so we can start to step him on to the next stage of his rehab,” Simpson added.

“That was good news this week. He's got a lot of work ahead of him, though, to get himself in really good physical shape, but that's going as we expected.

“Robbo's back on the grass running. He's just trying to get through these early stages of his running, and Anton's very close to joining back in training with us.

"I think he [Dudik] may even join in some of it Thursday or Friday, but it's too early to even consider him for the weekend."