Paul Simpson says he will give Owen Moxon as long as possible to prove his fitness for Carlisle United’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.
The Blues boss says star midfielder Moxon has not trained so far this week after suffering a dead leg against Harrogate Town.
But Simpson is optimistic the Carlisle-born player can still be involved in Saturday’s trip to south London.
And he plans to include the 25-year-old in United’s travelling party if he has any chance of being fit to face the Dons.
“There’s every chance he’s going to travel with us even if he’s not fit to train on Friday. It’s a decision we’ll make late,” said Simpson.
“If he’s got absolutely no chance for Saturday, we probably won’t waste his time sitting on a coach – we’ll get him treatment over the weekend and manage that so we give him the best chance for Tuesday [the home clash with Mansfield Town].
READ MORE: Second award nomination for Carlisle United star
“But I would like to think the way it’s settled down over the first part of the week, I’d like to think it should be ok.”
Simpson said he will be comfortable in selecting Moxon even if he is unable to train all week.
“If he’s ok with his dead leg, he’ll certainly be involved in the game,” the Blues boss added.
“Even though he’s got a dead leg and can’t be out on the grass, we always make sure they’re going some sort of cardiovascular work in the gym.
“He’s still keeping his lungs going, doing some work. He’s just not putting any stress onto his legs. If his dead leg has cleared up he will be involved in the game, and that’s what we’re hoping at the moment.”
Simpson said United are assessing “a couple of issues” with other players as he weighs up his squad for Saturday’s game, saying those would be left as late as possible before the weekend.
“If they’re not [fit] it opens the door for somebody else, and whoever gets the shout will have to make sure they come and do the job that doesn’t let anybody down,” he said.
One player who did emerge from the Harrogate game unscathed is Omari Patrick, despite suffering a heavy challenge from visiting defender Kayne Ramsay late in the game.
The Harrogate man came off worse after suffering multiple facial fractures which have ruled him out for the season.
“Omari’s fine. He’s trained all week,” said Simpson.
“It’s horrendous luck for their guy with the triple fracture he picked up.
“Thankfully Omari’s ok and he’s trained all of the week.”
Simpson said that, while Jack Ellis joined in training today, this weekend will come to early for the young Cumbrian.
“We’ve just got to hope we can keep building his work up and he gets through everything without any reaction and maybe next weekend he might be able to come into our thinking,” added the Blues boss.
Sidelined striker Tobi Sho-Silva will see a surgeon on Thursday, Simpson added, as the Blues look to determine the length of his ankle lay-off.
Wing-back Joel Senior, meanwhile, is in the manager’s thoughts for Saturday’s game having been rested for United’s last two outings.
Simpson took Senior out of the firing line for the games against Barrow and Harrogate, having spent a month back in the side upon his return from a long-term knee injury.
On Senior, Simpson said: “He’s good. He’s trained well this week, there’s no problems with Joel.
“He’s part of our thinking and he will be in the group to travel to Wimbledon.
“Ben Barclay has done very, very well [in his place]. It was one of those where I felt the right time had come for Joel to step out of it to give him a breather.
“He’s certainly in my thoughts for this weekend.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here