Gime Toure was due back at Carlisle United for training today having been allowed to return to France to see his family.

The Blues attacker had been to Paris earlier this week.

 

Beech said it had always been the intention to allow the out-of-favour forward some time back home.

His return to France, which was accompanied by Instgram posts by the player, had led to some speculation over his Brunton Park future, with Toure having been the subject of deadline-day interest from clubs including his former side Hartlepool.

But Beech said he hopes the 27-year-old will benefit from his trip home and will return refreshed for the challenges ahead at United.

"Gime was always due to go home anyway to see family members - that was nothing to do with the last week or two [regarding the transfer window]," Beech told the News & Star.

"He asked and I was quite happy to support that, because hopefully he’ll come back with a spring in his step like we all do when we see people we love.

"He’s due to train today and he'll come back into an opportunity of being available.

"Dependent on who’s doing what and how they’re doing it, from my attacking players I want assists and goals.

"As long as he’s doing them very well, I’m quite happy him starting football matches and assisting us scoring goals for Carlisle."

Toure has not figured in recent matchday squads, including last Tuesday's visit of Pools at a time the north east club were interested in a deadline-day deal for their former player.

Beech said: "Gime had a bit of interest on the day of the transfer deadline. Looking at what happened previously, and the opponents we were playing…that’s why he wasn’t involved, because something could have happened. But it didn’t transpire."