Carlisle United boss Rob Elliot is anticipating a four-man fitness boost ahead of the Blues’ National League opener this weekend
David Ajiboye, Gabe Breeze, Kenton Richardson and Brad Nicholson are all on course to be fit for the Worthing game, the head coach said today
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Carlisle have been hit by a number of pre-season injuries but their squad looks set to be bolstered by the quartet’s return on Saturday
Ajiboye has been recovering from the back injury he suffered in last week’s friendly against Salford City. That caused the wide man to miss last Saturday’s game against Derby County Under-21s
“David trained yesterday [Tuesday],” Elliot told the News & Star. “He didn’t have any contact, he just was a ‘floater’ in training, but he was absolutely sound
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“After taking that big whack, he was very stiff for a few days. But hopefully he’ll train again today, we’ll ease him into Friday and he should be available for the game on Saturday.”
Goalkeeper Breeze has missed the last two friendlies after suffering a gash to his knee in the friendly at Darlington
Having now had stitches removed, the Cumbrian is back in training and looks set to compete with Archie Mair for the goalkeeping slot against Worthing
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“Gabe should be OK,” said Elliot. “He trained yesterday and he seemed OK
Rob Elliot is assessing his squad for the big kick-off (Image: Richard Parkes)
“He’ll step up to more full training today [Wednesday] and, knowing Gabe, you can’t get him out of the goal once he’s in it
“It was a nasty, nasty cut, but luckily it was just superficial. We just needed to make sure that he didn’t get any infection or anything
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“We just need to make sure everyone comes through training [before Saturday] and then we’ll look at them,” added Elliot. “But the good thing is we’ve got a strong goalkeeping department – so whoever plays, I don’t have any issues or qualms.”
Summer signings Nicholson and Richardson have missed recent friendlies with pelvic and thigh problems respectively, but the ex-Gateshead defenders are both back in full training, Elliot said
That could put them in contention for a place in Saturday’s squad, Elliot said. “We’ll have a look at [their potential] minutes, but they‘re both really fit, professional lads, so I’m not too worried about those two because I know how well they keep themselves fit and how quickly they can get their fitness.”
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Of the players set to miss the opening day, Elliot said Morgan Feeney, Harvey Macadam and Bevis Mugabi are back on the grass as they build up to a return from injury
Midfielder Macadam looks to be the soonest of that group to return, although Elliot stopped short of confirming whether the 25-year-old would be back in time for United’s second game at Yeovil Town on Saturday week
Harvey Macadam is set to return to action soon (Image: Ben Holmes)
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The outlook on Macadam’s injury is, at least, positive, Elliot said. “He had an old injury [whereby] he had fluid in his thigh and when you first get the scan, the fluid usually represents a tear
“But when we saw the specialist afterwards, he said that actually there’s no damage. It’s just fluid from an old injury
“So he’s done his rest, he went out on the pitch yesterday and he had no reaction and he felt good. So that’s a great sign for us, because it means his rehab is cut shorter
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“Whether Yeovil is OK or too soon, I don’t know, but we’ll assess that. But, fingers crossed, he’s going to be back sooner rather than later.”
Elliot said captain Feeney ought to be back “in the next couple of weeks” with Luke Armstrong and Mugabi a little further down the line – while Elliot Embleton is set to be out for several more weeks
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