Carlisle United have received a boost with the news that Terell Thomas will NOT miss their next league game on international duty.

The defender is not involved in the Saint Lucia squad for their Concacaf Nations League games against Curacao and Grenada.

There had been fears that United could lose Thomas for Saturday's trip to Bradford City, with Saint Lucia's clash with Curacao coming this Friday.

But the national team captain is not in the squad named by Saint Lucia squad Stern John.

Thomas' omission comes after he just returned from injury for Carlisle.

The summer signing had been out with a hamstring problem but returned to action in the defeat to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

He now looks set to remain in the ranks for the trip to Valley Parade.

John said some of the Saint Lucia squad "are not able to make it because of club commitments".

Speaking via the St Lucia Times, he added: "Now it's always a difficult time for the international players, around this time, because they just started their season and stuff like that.

Stern John, the former Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City striker, is Thomas' international manager with Saint LuciaStern John, the former Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City striker, is Thomas' international manager with Saint Lucia (Image: PA)

"We don't want it to be a fight between club and country."

Thomas has 13 caps for Saint Lucia. Other English-based players not in the latest squad are Ebbsfleet United's Dominic Poleon and Lincoln City's Reeco-Hackett-Fairchild.

But others who play their football in England will link up with the squad, such as Bolton Wanderers' Chris Forino, Cheltenham Town's Arkell Jude-Boyd, Ipswich Town's Janoi Donacien and Enfield's Lamar Joseph-Johnson.

Thomas will be replaced as captain for the forthcoming games by Melvin Doxilly, who plays for Portmore United in Jamaica.