Sam Fishburn could return for Carlisle United tomorrow while Zach Clough is also close to a Blues comeback.

Manager Keith Millen said teenage striker Fishburn was back in training today having been rested with a minor injury over the weekend.

And Clough is building up his match fitness having now recovered from the calf injury which has kept him out since early December.

Their returns will add to the United manager’s options as he prepares for a busy run of fixtures, which starts with the visit of Hartlepool United tomorrow (Brunton Park, 7.45pm). 

On Fishburn, the Blues boss said: “Giving him the weekend to rest was probably the right decision. He trained fully today.

“It’s more of a tendonitis problem he’s got which sometimes young players, when you increase their workload, can flare up.

“It’s just something I want to keep on top of, so I don’t want it dragging on. We’ll see how it is after today’s training session but he said it felt fine.”

Summer signing Clough, Millen said, was among those who did extra work today as he pushes for a return to the squad.

“The squad players did a little bit extra, the likes of Zach Clough, who’s getting fitter every day," the United boss said.

“He needs more work to get to match fitness.

“Medically now he’s confident in his body, which is important.

“He’s not match fit obviously, nor is Lewi [Alessandra] with the time they’ve had out.

“Joe Riley’s had time out, but he’s getting fitter and stronger with every training session.

“Medically they’re fine, it’s just how much game time I feel they might have in their legs; are they sharp enough yet to make an impact in the game?

“I’ve got some selection headaches, which is nice to have.”

Millen added that Omari Patrick can now be under consideration for a start, United having managed his workload carefully after his recovery from Covid, from which he had suffered before his move back to Brunton Park.

On Patrick, used as a sub in the last two games, Millen said: “I think he’s ready. He trained today and he felt fine.

“With Covid, you don’t always know the effect it can have on your body.

“It might feel ok but when you get to those levels, where you start getting a little bit tired, I think that’s when he can have an impact still.

“That’s where we’ve tried to be a little bit careful with his game time. He was fine today so he’s in contention as well.”

Millen said the fitness of his squad is good in general, adding that their running statistics are improving.

“That comes with the work we do. I think it comes with confidence as well. They’re happy in what they’re doing. They’re going out there believing in what they’re doing and that helps with their running as well,” he added.

Millen, meanwhile, said more new signings were unlikely before the Hartlepool game but United were continuing to work on targets.

“[In the next] 24 hours I’d say probably not. Really, I’m just concentrating on the game on Tuesday now," he said.

“We’ll have a look at it again on Wednesday but the conversations change every day.

“We’re not in a rush, we’re happy with what we’ve done so far and it’s allowed us to calm down a little bit and work with what we’ve got.

“If something comes up that will improve us then I’ll look at it. The club are still very supportive in helping us trying to improve and make us better.

“We’re trying to keep as many plates spinning as possible, because you know not all the deals are going to come off, for whatever reason.

“We need to make sure we’ve got options and then we’ll see in the next couple of weeks. I’m happy with what we’ve got but I’m always looking to get better.”