Dylan McGeouch has been ruled out for several weeks in the latest injury blow to hit Carlisle United.

The midfielder, who suffered the calf problem in training last week, will not return to action in the short term.

Head coach Mike Williamson confirmed the extent of McGeouch’s injury after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Notts County.

“He [McGeouch] has picked up a Grade 2 soleus [injury], so it's going to be a few weeks,” said the Blues boss.

“It’s disappointing. He hadn't had much football, but you could see he had an understanding of what we were asking him to do.

“He's got the experience, he's got the technical side, so it's a big blow.”

The injury to McGeouch, 31, further depletes a midfield unit in which other sidelined players such as Ethan Robson, Taylor Charters and Callum Guy are not yet ready to return to action.

McGeouch started Williamson's first game in charge at Swindon Town before being ruled out of Saturday's defeat to Grimsby Town as well as the Notts County game.

Williamson, though, had praise for another midfielder who stepped up from the bench against Notts.

“As one door shuts, another door opens, and Harrison Neal was fantastic,” said the Blues boss.

“It’s been difficult for him. He's had barely any football, but he’s showed his personality in training, and that's all you can do.

“He came in and asked me, ‘What can I do?’, and I said, ‘Keep your levels high, keep your training and your habits [high]’, and he came on [against Notts] and showed what he's about.”

Charlie Wyke came off the bench in the second half against Notts CountyCharlie Wyke came off the bench in the second half against Notts County (Image: Ben Holmes)

Williamson, meanwhile, said his decision to leave captain Charlie Wyke on the bench for Tuesday’s game was because of his wish to protect a squad which he says is threadbare at the moment.

He said Wyke was “professional” and understood his reasoning.

“We're down to our bare bones,” Williamson said, “and obviously it's fantastic for the young lads [to be involved], and we've got some really talented young lads, but in terms of the first-team boys, we've got lads that are carrying a few niggles and knocks, we've got lads there that haven't had a pre-season, and lads that haven't churned consistent 90 minutes out.

“So the last thing we want is to pick up injuries, so we've got to try and look to spread the load the best we can.

“We're still trying to put our strongest team out and find solutions in the short term, but it was pure protection, and we just wanted to make sure that we don't pick up any niggles unnecessarily.”