Cambridge trip 'too early' for returning Carlisle captain Huntington

The experienced 35-year-old defender continues his rehabilitation after picking up a calf injury at the beginning of October.

Ahead of the Blues' trip to the Abbey Stadium to take on Mark Bonner's Us, Simpson provided an update on the fitness of a number of Carlisle players who were dealing with short-term issues, including Alfie McCalmont who missed the Burton Albion victory with a 'slight thigh strain'.

He said: "We are okay, Fin Back came off because he got a dead leg-type thing on his glute and he was a bit sore but he is okay and joined in today [Thursday].

"Alfie McCalmont has joined in training today so he is fine now unless he gets any reaction overnight.

"Dylan McGeouch has had another week of training so he comes back into the thinking for the squad as well but the rest of the squad is likely to stay the same."

Carlisle are also plagued by a number of longer-term injuries, with Simpson also providing updates on the fitness of Huntington as well as Taylor Charters, and Jack Ellis.

He said: "Hunts has been out on the grass all week so he is getting there, this weekend is too early for him but we will see how he goes next week but he has got a job on his hands because I think Sam Lavelle and Jon Mellish have been absolutely outstanding and we have still got Ben Barclay and Corey so it won't be a guarantee that Hunts will come back into it.

"Taylor Charters is back on the grass running this week but he is going to be more of a steady build-up because of his history with hamstring injuries so we are still looking at the end of November for him.

"Jack Ellis, his hip problem has not settled down, we sent him for a scan on Tuesday and he has come back with a small strain on one of his hip flexor muscles so hopefully next week we will be able to get him back on the grass.

Simpson also confirmed that Josh Kayode is continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury with parent club Rotherham but remains on track for a December return.