Gavin Skelton has commented on the absences of forwards Tristan Abrahams and Gime Toure from Carlisle United’s trip to Newport.

Both attackers were omitted from the 18-man squad that went to south Wales.

Skelton said Abrahams was dropped but insisted the summer signing still had a big part to play at Brunton Park.

Toure, the caretaker boss said, was left out because of injury.

Skelton, though, was not aware, when interviewed at full-time, that Toure had travelled to watch Oldham Athletic’s 3-1 defeat against Walsall.

He posted an image from his trip to Boundary Park on Instagram.

On striker Abrahams, Skelton said: “It was just a selection thing.

“Tristan trains very well, he’s a brilliant character and I have a lot of respect for him.

“I spoke to him yesterday and I’m sure he’ll have a massive part to play for us this season.

“Tristan has worked exceptionally hard in training, and I’m sure there’ll be an opportunity around the corner for him.”

Asked about Toure’s Oldham trip, Skelton said: “I didn’t know [about that].

“Gime didn’t travel with us; he had a bad back.”

The caretaker boss said any players left out always have to respond in the right way.

“That’s football – I’ve had it plenty of times where I’ve been left behind and you’ve just got to get on with it and accept it,” he said.

Right-back Kelvin Mellor is also inching his way back from injury, Skelton added, as United prepare for Saturday’s visit of Oldham.

“He half joined in training [on Monday],” the coach said. “He did the warm-up and the passing.”