CARLISLE United defender Ben Barclay faces fresh injury worries after his side's 0-2 defeat in the Central League Cup.

Barclay, who was loaned-in by Paul Simpson from newly-promoted Stockport County, has only made four appearances for the Blues since his arrival.

Paul Simpson had deployed the defender as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup defeat against Walsall at the weekend but now risks being without him after Barclay was forced off in Carlisle's game against Blackpool.

READ MORE: 'We weren't good enough' - Assistant manager Gav Skelton reacts to Cup loss

Ben Barclay was missing from the Carlisle squad for a number of weeks earlier in the season, after picking up an ankle injury in September.

Whilst a timeframe for any potential absence has not yet been established, Blues assistant manager Gav Skelton did give an update on the defender's condition.

He said: "It’s actually the other ankle to the injury he’s just come back from, so he’ll be really annoyed.

"That compounds the frustration when you see that happen to him.

"To be fair, it was a disappointing tackle, and it’s such bad luck for him."

However, despite being taken off a precaution, Skelton explained that further assessment will be needed before potentially ruling Barclay out again.

He said: "It’s far too early to sound too many alarm bells and obviously we have our fingers crossed that it settles."

READ MORE: Walsall v Carlisle United: how the stats reflect on The Blues' FA Cup exit