Carlisle United: fresh Georgie Kelly injury concern

Manager Paul Simpson said the striker  - an unused substitute in Tuesday’s first round tie – reported a groin problem at half-time.

The Blues manager was at a loss to explain how it had happened and Kelly, whose United career so far has been plagued by injury issues, will now be assessed.

“I got told at half-time we need to be careful and if we can avoid having to use Georgie, to avoid it, because he’s got soreness in his groin,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“That’s all I know. It’s something that needs to be assessed.

“I honestly don't know what's gone on there. We need to just assess him over the next couple of days but hopefully it's nothing serious.”

United boss Paul Simpson (Image: Ben Holmes)

Kelly took part in the pre-match warm-up as normal but was not involved in the game as Carlisle fell to a 2-0 defeat at Brunton Park.

The Irish frontman, who joined from Rotherham United on a three-and-a-half year deal in January, has seen injuries so far limit his ability to make his mark at Carlisle.

• Carlisle United 0-2 Stoke City - as it happened

A calf problem ruled 27-year-old Kelly out for three months after his arrival, with the ex-Bohemians man eventually making seven appearances towards the end of the 2023/24 season.

Discomfort in his calf muscle felt during the close-season then saw United nurse Kelly through part of pre-season, when he missed their first three friendlies.

He has been fit since then and came off the bench in the closing stages of Saturday’s opening-day League Two defeat at Gillingham.

But the latest issue presents a further potential injury headache at a time Carlisle are already without a number of other sidelined players, such as Ethan Robson, Taylor Charters, Dylan McGeouch, Callum Guy and Jack Robinson.