Carlisle United's ex-Burnley defender ruled out for season - with other players sidelined for weeks

In a major blow for the right-back, Senior needs surgery on the injury which forced him out of Tuesday’s first half.

Manager Keith Millen said he was “devastated” for the former Burnley and Altrincham man.

The Blues boss gave an update on Senior’s condition in his press conference today, which also saw Millen confirm that Rod McDonald and Callum Guy would be out for “weeks”.

They also had to go off in the first half of the midweek 2-1 defeat.

Senior’s injury came in only his fifth appearance since his January move to Cumbria.

Millen said: “It’s not good news at all.

“Joel has seen a specialist and will need surgery to his knee which is a massive blow for him and all of us.

“He’s just joined us and you can see the potential he has. He got his chance quite early because of Kelvin [Mellor]’s injury.

“I think everyone has seen signs of what he’s going to bring to us, so we’re all devastated for him. We don’t know exactly what surgery is required, but it will more than likely leave him out for the rest of the season.”

Absoloutely gutted with the news That I have suffered an injury like this and will require surgery, there's a long road ahead however I'll be doing everything I can to be back better & stronger in the quickest way possible! Whilst supporting my teammates in the meantime💙 pic.twitter.com/zQYiqKfUmm

— Joel Senior (@JoelSenior_) February 3, 2022

Millen said everyone at United would support 22-year-old Senior as he dealt with the disappointment.

“It’s really tough for him, when he’s found out today,” the manager added.

“I’ve spoken to him, and he’s got to try and first of all get over the initial disappointment, the shock of it all, and then we need to make sure we do the right things medically, which we will.

“And then, from my experience, the quicker you can get the process in place the better it will be for him.

“We were all gutted for him because he was starting his career with us and was looking good. He’s got a good family around him and we’ve just got to be there to support him.”

Rod McDonald: Out for "weeks", Millen said

Senior posted a message on Twitter to express his frustration at the news.

"Absolutely gutted with the news that I have suffered an injury like this and will require surgery, there's a long road ahead - however I'll be doing everything I can to be back better and stronger in the quickest way possible! Whilst supporting my teammates in the meantime," he wrote.

The defender was stretchered off at the Peninsula Stadium after centre-half McDonald had already gone off – with midfielder and captain Guy then also failing to complete the half.

“Callum has a hamstring problem which is hopefully only weeks rather than months, and it’s the same with Rod’s calf problem,” Millen said.

“They’re three serious injuries which show you the difficult side of football, and we feel for all three of them.

“On Monday evening I was looking at the squad thinking we had a big squad, and you don’t expect three serious injuries in one game like we had.

Callum Guy: Suffered hamstring injury at Salford

“I’ve never come across that in my time. You almost forget about the performance on Tuesday because you’re so gutted, certainly for Joel.

“The performance on Tuesday wasn’t anywhere near good enough, but now we’ve got options and cover for those injuries, so there are places available.”

Millen said Carlisle had to be adaptable in light of the injuries, but he said it was important not to rip everything up as he integrates replacements into the side.

He said: “When you lose three key players, it’s important from my point of view as manager to try to keep some sort of foundations to what we’re doing, not let it all crumble.

“The good work we’ve done so far…I’ve got to make sure I keep as much of that intact as I can.

“When you lose players through injury or suspension, you need to try and focus on certain things. I said that to the players – we’ve got a load of new players coming in as well. Everything can crumble away if you’re not careful.

“That’s really important I try and stay strong as the manager and say, ‘This is us’.

“It’s difficult for the injured players but it gives someone else an opportunity and they’ve got to take it.

“We need to try and be consistent in what we’re doing, and then people can come in. I’m not going to make wholesale changes because you just can’t do that in February. It’s trying to work out where I need to freshen it up and who’s the fittest to do that.”

Millen brought Morgan Feeney, Corey Whelan and Joe Riley off the bench to replace the injured trio, and all three could be candidates to start at Rochdale on Saturday.

The United boss also has five deadline-day signings available.

He must also choose a new captain at Spotland, with Whelan having taken the armband in Guy’s absence on Tuesday. The ex-Liverpool and Wigan Athletic man has skippered the team before when the regular captain has been absent.