Lewis Alessandra is set to be ruled out “for quite a long time” with a foot injury, Carlisle United boss Keith Millen has revealed.

The experienced striker, who missed the defeat at Exeter City, has joined a growing injury list at Brunton Park.

He looks likely to be out for the foreseeable as manager Millen said: “He [Alessandra] has a problem with his foot, on the bone, and I’m not sure what the medical term is.

“He’s going to be out for quite a long time.”

Alessandra’s absence comes at a time United remain without Joe Riley – while Jack Armer went off in the first half at Exeter.

It leaves Millen’s numbers depleted as he prepares for Tuesday night’s home clash with Harrogate Town with second-bottom United desperately in need of a victory.

News and Star: Jack Armer receives treatment from physio Ross Goodwin (photo: Barbara Abbott)Jack Armer receives treatment from physio Ross Goodwin (photo: Barbara Abbott)

The United boss felt a challenge on left-back Armer by Exeter’s Jevani Brown should have been punished by ref Will Finnie.

Millen said: “He has a terrible gash on his leg, but the referee said it was a fair challenge.

“When you see where the stud marks are, it’s not on his foot, they’re above the ankle. That’s a high challenge.

“Again, I haven’t seen it but from where the stud marks are I can’t understand how you can say that’s a fair tackle. Decisions didn’t go our way [in the game].”

Midfielder Riley has now sat out United’s last two games with a foot problem.

It seems unlikely the ex-Manchester United man will return to face Harrogate. Millen said: “He’s not really close, no. He’s not training yet.

“He’s improving, and the medical report was quite positive, but it still hasn’t settled down.

“We’ve got a few injuries which isn’t ideal. I want competition for places. We need to get as many people fit as possible.”