Harry McKirdy is being assessed at Carlisle United after missing the victory against Newport with a thigh injury.

The United top scorer was sidelined as the Blues got back to winning ways against the Exiles.

It cost McKirdy the chance to face one of his former clubs.

The 22-year-old will now hope to be fit to fight for his place at Grimsby this weekend.

Assistant head coach Gavin Skelton said: “He didn’t train [on Monday] so he wasn’t available.

“It’s a thigh injury, he’s under the treatment of Dolly [physio Neil Dalton].”

Skelton said he did not know at this stage whether McKirdy would be fit for Saturday’s trip to Blundell Park.

There was, though, a fitness boost for the Cumbrians with Nathan Thomas returning to last night’s squad.

He came off the bench in the second half of United’s 2-0 win to replace Jack Bridge, who had impressed on his return to the side.

Skelton said: “That’s good and it gives us another option.

“On his day he [Thomas] is a matchwinner and that gives us that threat.

“He’ll be desperate to get back in that team, but [Jack] Bridgey’s got the shirt, so it’s interesting – we’ll have things to discuss for Saturday.”