Teenage keeper Scott Simons has suffered an injury which could rule him out of action for months at Carlisle United.

The home-grown player has suffered a shoulder problem which has also put paid to a possible loan move.

Promising gloveman Simons, 18, is now waiting to learn whether he will need surgery, manager Paul Simpson said today.

“Scott was going to go and play in a game this weekend but unfortunately damaged his shoulder in a keeper warm-up in training,” the Blues boss said today.

“He popped his shoulder out of his socket and it then worked its way back in.

“He’s been to see a specialist and had a scan. If he needs surgery he’s looking at four months which is a massive blow for him and us.

“There could have been an opportunity for him to go out and get some games but that won’t happen now.”

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Josh Dixon thinking positively in bid to overcome latest injury

The injury to Simons leaves United with Tomas Holy and Gabe Breeze as their fit professional keepers.

Simpson has not ruled out bringing in another to compete with first-choice Holy but there remains the prospect of Cumbrian teenager Breeze starting the season as second-choice.

“There was always a thought process that we need another goalkeeper. It’s just trying to find the right one,” Simpson said.

“Tomas we’re looking at as our No1 goalkeeper. Gabe has done really well, and in fact over the last week has started to look more solid and a bit more grown-up.

“If we could find the right No2 goalkeeper to bring in, then I would be doing it.

“But again, it’s a really difficult one because I don’t want to keep talking about budgets, but priorities are in other areas and that’s where I’m looking to spend the money in.

“If we get the right players in and there’s money left over that we can get another goalkeeper, that’s what we’ll have to do.”

Striker Ryan Edmondson is set to return to action against Bolton Wanderers tomorrow having sat out Tuesday’s friendly against Morton with a leg problem.

Tobi Sho-Silva will also be fit to be involved against the League One side at Brunton Park despite a minor hamstring issue this week, Simpson added.

But Omari Patrick is not yet ready to return.

“Ryan Edmondson missed the game on Tuesday, just with a slight tightness in his quad, but he’s trained this week and he’s available,” Simpson said.

“Omari has missed a few games now, he’s still not right, so he won’t be involved at the weekend. We’re hoping he’ll be fit for the start of the season.” 

Simpson, meanwhile, said Sam Fishburn played in a youth team friendly at Middlesbrough to boost his fitness after a knee lay-off.