Kelvin Mellor is likely to be out “for a while”, Carlisle United boss Keith Millen said today.

The Blues are still waiting to determine the full extent of the ankle injury the right-back suffered in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Hartlepool.

But the experienced defender looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, manager Millen said: “It doesn’t look good.

“We’re still waiting to hear exactly the results and what treatment he might need.

“He’s got a lot of swelling there which hasn’t gone down. It’s actually got worse.

“He’s had a scan and we’re just waiting for the doctor to give us a report on what he’s seen.

“We’re hoping it isn’t too bad but it looks like he’ll be out for a while.”

Millen admitted it would be a blow to lose former Bradford City and Blackpool man Mellor for a spell.

“It will be [a blow] for him firstly; he’s a great lad, a really good professional, sets high standards in his work, and the last two to three games have probably been his best games,” the United boss added.

“It’s a big blow for him, a big blow for the group. We’ve just got to wait and see how bad it is, and hopefully not too long-term and something he can recover from as quick as possible.

“It’s a big blow, and he’s well liked as well within the group. People like that you don’t want this sort of thing to happen to.

“I’ll be speaking to him later and seeing how he is.”

Mellor’s absence at Forest Green this weekend could mean a first Blues start for new signing Joel Senior, who came off the bench against Pools.

Millen, meanwhile, had more encouraging news on the return from injury of other players.

Zach Clough, the manager said, trained well today as he bids to return to the squad after calf problem.

“Sam Fishburn’s better, after his little rest,” he added.

“He had a little bit of tendonitis and [was] also maybe a little bit tired, because he had that heavy period where he did a lot of work for us.

“Sometimes when young lads have a week out, they need that mentally as much as physically to freshen up again. He looked good in training today.

“Even Gime Toure’s on the grass now,” Millen added, “starting to do some football training, on his own.

“He’s getting fitter now and hopefully he might be a few weeks away.”