Carlisle United defender ruled out for 'numerous weeks'

The Blues left-back left the 2-1 defeat to Bradford City on crutches after going down in the ninth minute.

Williams went to hospital after the game and United feared the worst, but the damage is not as severe as it might have been.

Joint caretaker boss Steven Rudd gave an update on the 25-year-old today, saying Williams would be out for “numerous weeks” rather than months.

“We were really worried. We were expecting the worst,” said Rudd. “With the amount of pain he was in in the changing room, it wasn't nice to see.

“But thankfully, he went to hospital, got checked over and though he’s going to be out for numerous weeks, he doesn’t need an operation.

“It's not as bad as we first thought, but we still won't see Ben for numerous weeks.”

Rudd added that Williams was currently wearing a knee brace.

He said the damage was to “the outside of his knee” with head physio Sophie Birnie having led United’s contact with the hospital last weekend following Williams’ injury.

“He's been in the club during the early part of the week for assessments and rehab and treatment and things like that,” added Rudd.

Former Cheltenham Town and Barnsley man Williams joined United on a short-term deal on the eve of the campaign and has been involved in all seven of their games in 2024/25 so far.

He now faces a spell on the sidelines with Cameron Harper now in line to make his first league start against Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Rudd, meanwhile, said other players are continuing to be assessed in the build-up to this weekend’s game.

Terell Thomas is among the players being monitored in the build-up to Saturday's game (Image: Richard Parkes)

Terell Thomas, Aaron Hayden and Daniel Adu-Adjei are being monitored after Thomas went off at Bradford City with a hamstring issue, and Hayden and Adu-Adjei both missed the game with head and knee injuries respectively.

“There's two or three of them in there that are still touch and go for Saturday,” said Rudd.

“We're going to give them tomorrow [Friday] to get assessed again in the morning, maybe a little bit of training, to see how they are.

“But on Saturday we need 18 fully fit players that are ready to give 100 per cent, 110 per cent to make sure that we're successful – run through walls, go above and beyond to get us these three points.

“So Terell and a couple of others will be assessed, probably like a late fitness test on Friday, to see where they’re at.

“Hopefully they all come through it and are available for Saturday. But if not, we've got other lads that are ready to step up, chomping at the bit to get going, and who are more than capable of stepping in and doing a job.”

Rudd said United’s caretakers would not risk the players if there was still a doubt over them. “Obviously we want them in the squad for Saturday, but at the same time we can't be making injuries worse and putting them out for longer spells,” he said.

“We do have to be careful, but if they can get through and do a job for us on Saturday, they'll be in the squad, no doubt about it.”

Defender Hayden missed the Bradford defeat after having stitches in a head injury the previous weekend.

“Aaron's done little bits this week,” said Rudd.

“In the first week after the Tranmere game, Sophie and the medical staff had to go through the concussion [protocol] with the doctor.

United hope Aaron Hayden will be able to return this weekend (Image: Ben Holmes)

“That was all clear and fine.

“Aaron has done a little bit today, so what we're hoping for is just no reaction, and if that’s the case it should mean he's okay for Saturday, fingers crossed.

“He can't wait to get going. He's one of our leaders in there – vocal, dominant, demands good standards.

“That's why we're going to give him as long as we can for Saturday because we want him out there for us, being a leader and helping us get three points.”

Striker Adu-Adjei has had a scan on his knee injury and Rudd said he was among the players who would continue to be assessed.