Carlisle United are set for a welcome transfer boost after it was revealed Nathan Thomas is cutting short his Gillingham loan to return to Brunton Park.

Thomas was at Brunton Park tonight and his season-long loan switch to Carlisle is expected to be finalised tomorrow.

It comes after the Sheffield United man agreed a quick termination of his stay in Kent after he joined the Gills only three weeks ago.

Gillingham boss Steve Evans said Thomas and his family had not settled in the area.

Blues boss Steven Pressley also confirmed the imminent deal after United's 3-0 friendly win over Tranmere.

He said it was a highly welcome turn of events after Carlisle had initially lost out in their bid to re-sign the player who impressed on loan in Cumbria last season.

Pressley said: “If truth be told Nathan right from the close of the season was one of my main targets. He made a good impression not just on the field but he's a popular lad in the dressing room and with the staff.

"We were obviously disappointed when he chose to go to Gillingham - understandably so as they're a League One club and every professional wants to better themselves.

"But an opportunity arose 10 days ago when his agent phoned me and explained that not everything was right with Nathan down there, and would I be interested in taking him back? And of course I was.

"If everything goes through like we believe it will - everything has been signed at our end and with the player - hopefully we will make the official announcement tomorrow morning.

"I think it's a great bit of business for the club. He's a player that will excite us and can change games with the quality he possesses."

Pressley said United would be working to get Thomas up to the same fitness levels as the rest of the Carlisle squad.

The former Hartlepool player, 24, is likely to figure in Carlisle's final friendly at Ross County this weekend.

Gills boss Evans said Thomas' departure from Kent was "on compassionate grounds". He said: "His family were not in a good place in terms of being away from their relatives and close ones, especially with a young child.

"We have to listen, as a manager you have a responsibility to your players. It's a decision we had to make and we wish him every success."

Pressley, meanwhile, is likely to take a longer look at two-goal Kwame Thomas and United's other two trialists.

Thomas scored Carlisle's first two goals against Tranmere in an impressive display, before youngster Lewis Bell made it 3-0.

Defender Aaron Hayden will also be further assessed while Pressley said new trialist midfielder Mohammed Ali Sagaf had come in on the recommendation of new coach Nathan Rooney.

The Somalia-born player, who featured in the second half against United's League One opponents, had a spell on trial at Crawley where Rooney was assistant boss.

Pressley is also set to decide on Lewis Brunt's future and will speak to the Aston Villa man on Wednesday. The 18-year-old has been training with a view to a loan deal but United's boss will make a final call on that after discussions with his coaching staff. 

Pressley is, meanwhile, sweating on the results of a scan after Hallam Hope missed the Tranmere game with a hamstring injury.

The forward suffered the injury in training and could face a lay-off. Keighran Kerr also missed the 3-0 win as a precaution due to a groin problem but the young forward is expected to return soon.

Pressley said he is still waiting for progress on other transfer deals after the impending boost of Thomas' arrival.

He added: "We now need to add what I consider number 9s - proper strikers who play more centrally, not players who can play off the side."