Gime Toure is back at Carlisle United – but has a “long-term injury”, boss Keith Millen says.
The attacker has returned from a month’s loan with National League side Aldershot Town.
But there is no immediate prospect of the French player rejoining United’s League Two survival fight.
Toure made three appearances for Shots but his opportunities in Hampshire were cut short.
“He’s injured – he has a long-term injury,” Millen told the News & Star.
“He’s [back at the club] having treatment, I saw him the other day, but he’s going to be long-term.”
Toure is the latest Blues player sidelined at a time Lewis Alessandra, Magnus Norman, Lukas Jensen, Josh Dixon, Joe Riley and Jack Armer are all out.
Armer missed last night’s defeat to Harrogate after the defender suffered a leg injury at Exter on Saturday.
Both he and Riley (foot) could return against Walsall this Saturday.
Millen said: “I’m hoping they can get back into training [towards the] end of the week, so fingers crossed…they are the nearest two that might be available for Saturday.”
United’s depleted numbers saw Millen name a particularly young line-up of subs on Tuesday night.
“But we had enough quality out there,” the manager said. “It’s not really an excuse. We’ve got injuries, but every team has.”
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