Paul Simpson hopes Dylan McGeouch can build on his comeback Carlisle United outing at a time of need.

The midfielder made his first appearance for two months as a first-half substitute at Leyton Orient.

McGeouch, back from a calf injury, replaced Callum Guy after United’s number eight was stretchered off after 20 minutes of the 3-1 FA Cup first round defeat.

Simpson hopes ex-Celtic man McGeouch can now have a timely and sustained run of fitness after a stop-start beginning to life at Brunton Park.

“Unfortunately he’s not had the minutes because he hasn’t been fit long enough, it’s as simple as that,” said Simpson.

“He came on [at Orient] and I was thankful he lasted the game – he came on earlier than we expected him to.”

McGeouch’s return is timely with Guy facing the prospect of a long lay-off.

Simpson, meanwhile, hopes he can call on Fin Back and Paul Huntington this week.

Back was not deemed fit enough to return on Saturday after a dead leg, while illness cost Huntington the chance of a comeback following his recovery from a calf problem.

News and Star: Fin Back's dead leg ruled him out at OrientFin Back's dead leg ruled him out at Orient (Image: Richard Parkes)

On right-back Back, Simpson said: “He’s been out doing the work on the grass, so he’s doing the running and keeping his fitness up, but the minute he tries to strike the ball he still feels it in his quad, which isn’t going away.

“We’re just trying to get his pain level down from a seven or eight to a three or four, and if he gets to that he can play.

“He wanted to play but he wasn’t right and we weren’t prepared to take a chance.”

Huntington is expected to be fit for next Saturday’s league clash with Bristol Rovers, while Jack Armer will be available after serving a one-match suspension.

But other players are still some time from a return.

“You just have to look at the bench and see we’re short on numbers, with losing Hunts with illness, Jack and Alfie [McCalmont] suspended and Jack Ellis still not right,” said Simpson.

“He [Ellis] had his injection on Thursday, and hopefully we’ll start to see some positivity around him.

“Taylor Charters is still weeks away but in full training and JJ [Kayode] is still weeks away.

“It’s only going to come from this group unless something materialises over the next six days. It’s this group of players – this is what we’ve got and we just need to roll our sleeves up, dig deep and try to find a solution.”

Jokull Andresson will return to the squad next weekend after Reading denied United permission to involve the keeper in the FA Cup.