Carlisle United midfielder Josh Vela's season could be over

Vela had to sit out a second successive game after the problem failed to settle.

And manager Paul Simpson said a scan has revealed cartilage damage which could require an operation.

If that’s the case the January signing would be ruled out for United’s remaining nine League One games.

The news on Vela, 30, came after Carlisle’s 3-2 home defeat to Barnsley, the midfielder having also missed the previous defeat at Charlton Athletic three days earlier.

“It hasn’t settled down,” said Simpson.

“He’s had it scanned, and he may need to have a cartilage tidy-up, which is likely to rule him out for the season, which is really unfortunate.”

United are awaiting an appointment with a specialist before determining the way forward on the problem.

“From the scan, there's definitely meniscus damage,” added Simpson.

“So we’ve just got to go and find out exactly what needs to be done.

Paul Simpson (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I hope that we'll find out a little bit more, as soon as we can get the appointment with a specialist.

“The scan looks fairly clear, but we don't know what [will be the next step]. And if it is an injury that ends his season, then we've just got to make sure he's right for pre-season.”

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Vela has made seven appearances and scored two goals since joining Carlisle from Fleetwood Town in the January window. The news dashes his chances of facing his former club Shrewsbury Town in United’s next game on Saturday.

One player who can continue in the side, though, is Jon Mellish, who has avoided hitting the ten-bookings mark before the 37-game threshold.

The defender’s avoiding of a yellow card in his last five games means he has escaped the risk of a two-match ban.