Carlisle United's Callum Guy has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being advised to have an operation on his knee injury.

The Blues said that surgery was the best option for the midfielder, who suffered the injury in the home defeat to Cheltenham on February 11.

Guy has now had the procedure and tweeted today that it went well.

Boss Chris Beech had initially hoped the 23-year-old would feature again before the end of the campaign but his No2 Gavin Skelton today said the player had been recommended to go under the knife and will, as a result, miss the last two months of the League Two term.

Speaking at United’s pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Morecambe, Skelton said: “Callum saw a surgeon on Tuesday and it was hoped that he wouldn’t need an operation.

"[But] the specialist felt it was best, along with our medical staff, that he has the operation, so we’ll miss him for the rest of the season, which is a huge shame.

"The feedback we had from the specialist was that we could leave it for a couple of weeks but he still might need the operation.

“That would have put him back even more, so I think it’s the correct decision for him to get it done.”

On Twitter this afternoon Guy posted a picture of himself in hospital, accompanied by his bay daughter Ava-Leigh. He wrote: "Operation went well, gutted to be missing the rest of the season, but will be back raring to go ready for next season! Got the best little doctor looking after me..."

Skelton said it will be up to other players at United to impress in midfield while Guy is sidelined.

“He’d shown good signs in the spells he had but, again, this is all part of football and we move on,” the coach added.

“It’s a shame how it happened, but him being out now gives somebody else an opportunity.”

Guy was injured in a challenge with Cheltenham’s Will Boyle in only his third Blues appearance following his transfer window move on an 18-month deal.

Skelton, meanwhile, sounded a more optimistic note on other injured players at Carlisle.

He said top scorer Harry McKirdy is back in training and available for the Morecambe game.

And Rotherham loan frontman Joshua Kayode is making good progress following his hamstring injury.

“Good news on Joshua – he’s started his rehab, he’s done a bit of running, and hopefully he won’t be too far away,” Skelton said.

“Harry [McKirdy] has trained this week so he’ll be back in the squad for Saturday.”

Skelton said long-term absentee Kelvin Etuhu’s rehab is “going well” and the midfielder is due to see a surgeon in London in the next couple of weeks, adding: “We’re hoping he’ll be back in the near future.”

The assistant head coach also praised young midfielder Josh Dixon as he continues his comeback from a second cruciate knee ligament injury which he suffered in pre-season.

“Josh is working hard, and it’s a real credit to him because he’s had two tough seasons,” Skelton said.

“Hopefully he’ll be ready for next season because if we can get him fit he’s a real talent.

“He’s got a strong family behind him and it’s hard for him to come in every day and watch his mates go out to play while he’s in the gym.

“It’s the kind of thing that will make him better in the future, not just as a footballer but as a person.”