Keeper Magnus Norman is likely to make his first pre-season appearance this week, says Carlisle United assistant boss Gavin Skelton.

The Blues No1 has yet to feature because of an injury sustained in training.

But after sitting out the games at Penrith, Workington and Hebburn, Norman is set to return to the ranks.

Carlisle face Chorley on Tuesday, Kendal on Wednesday and Blackpool next Saturday.

“Magnus shouldn’t be far off at all,” Skelton said on Saturday. “I would like to think he’ll be playing next week.

“Hopefully he has no setbacks and he’s ready to go.”

United fielded trialist George Sykes-Kenworthy at Workington while teenager Gabe Breeze played at Hebburn.

The Blues were boosted with the quick return of Rod McDonald at Reds and Brennan Dickenson at Hebburn after they had also sat out the Penrith game.

But first-year pro Keelan Leslie is set to miss out on most of United’s pre-season.

“Keelan will be two or three weeks before he’s back training, then probably another week or so [before being ready to play],” Skelton said.

Chris Beech’s No2 – who would not be drawn on the possible fate of trialists Manasse Mampala and Sykes-Kenworthy – said he was pleased United have largely made it through their early friendlies unscathed.

“Brennan came through it all good,” said the coach, who took the team at Hebburn.

“Everyone got through it well so that’s pleasing.”