Nathan Thomas looks set to miss a second Carlisle United game after manager Steven Pressley said the forward is not back to full fitness after illness.

Attacker Thomas has returned to training this week after sitting out the Newport defeat.

But United’s boss said tomorrow’s clash with Crewe may be too early for the Sheffield United loanee to return.

“He came in on Monday and still looked a bit worse for wear,” Pressley said. “He trained on Tuesday, looked a bit tired again [yesterday], so we don’t think Thomas will be ready for the weekend.”

Pressley said he will consider including Stefan Scougall on the bench after the midfielder played 45 minutes in Tuesday’s 2-1 reserve win at Rangers. But he said the Scot was “still a little bit away” from being ready to start.

United’s manager said “six or seven” of those who featured at Rangers had made a good case for first-team selection, although few changes are likely tomorrow.

He said Elias Sorensen, who scored Carlisle’s first goal, looked more comfortable in a front two following United’s change to 3-5-2.

A United youth side will represent the Blues in tomorrow’s Cumberland Cup first round tie at Cockermouth (kick-off 1.30pm).