Summer signing Brennan Dickenson has given Carlisle United boss Chris Beech a timely boost - by returning to full training.

The attacker was due to take part in his first full session with the Blues squad today.

Former Colchester and Exeter man Dickenson has been working his way back to fitness after a pre-season hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old has been involved to an extent in recent sessions but can now step up his attempt to push his way into first-team contention - and make a belated Blues debut.

"[Today] is his due date for full training," head coach Beech said.

"Prior to that he’s just been joining in, but he looks very good, scoring a lot of goals, and from [today] onwards he can compete and get the ball back as well.

"That's really good news."

Beech said it wasn't certain whether he would wait to field Dickenson in a reserve game before throwing him into the first-team picture.

"I don’t know," the United boss said. "It depends on him, how he feels and what we need."

Dickenson's availability will come as a boost to United after a run of injuries in various positions.

Loanee Ethan Walker, who was signed from Preston to cover Dickenson's absence, has been out since September with a shoulder injury.

Preston boss Alex Neil last week said the young winger was making good progress and hopes to get the all-clear to return to contact training soon.

Carlisle are without defender George Tanner and midfielder Danny Devine after they had collarbone and knee operations respectively.

Loan midfielder Connor Malley remains out. Rod McDonald returned to the side against Bolton after more than a month out, but Dean Furman missed out on Saturday's squad.

The South Africa midfielder could return against Harrogate tomorrow after suffering a knock in last week's reserve game at Rochdale.

"He trained on Christmas Eve," Beech said, "[but] not with us - I don’t like putting players in and exposing them if they're not quite 100 per cent, because you don’t know.

"With the type of lads I’ve got, they’ll say, 'Gaffer, I’m ready' when they’ve only got one leg.

"I’ve got to try and manage the right things. It will be great to see Dean train [today] and be available for Harrogate."

Captain Nick Anderton is set to miss tomorrow's game as he continues to self-isolate, having come into contact on Christmas Day with someone who subsequently received a positive result from a Covid-19 test.