Carlisle United's Paul Thirlwell out of action for three weeks
Last updated 13:07, Thursday, 09 October 2008
Carlisle United skipper Paul Thirlwell is facing a three week lay-off as he battles his FOURTH calf injury in the space of a year.
The Blues midfielder is said to be “very low” after suffering the latest in a string of setbacks in Tuesday’s cup defeat at Rochdale.
Thirlwell, an ever-present so far this season, was already due to miss Saturday’s televised trip to MK Dons through suspension.
But he is now set for a longer stint on the sidelines.
“We will be looking at it closely today, but Paul is looking at a bit of time out,” confirmed United manager John Ward.
“It depends on the severity of it, but he could be looking at three weeks or so.”
Ward said he would not “speculate” on whether it was a reoccurrence of one of the previous problems which ruined his last campaign, or a new injury.
The former Derby and Sunderland man, 29, had to be replaced by Grant Smith 27 minutes into the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exit at Spotland. Smith, Luke Joyce and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson are now competing for two central midfield places at stadium:mk in two days’ time.
“Things are not going our way in a few areas at the moment, and this just adds to it,” added Ward.
“Paul has been an ever-present, my captain, and now he is looking at some time out.
“He was very low on Tuesday night, but we have just got to deal with it.” Danny Livesey is set to take over as captain in Thirlwell’s absence.
The skipper, below, only managed 16 appearances last season, missing a large part of the campaign with three calf injuries and then an ankle problem.
There is better news elsewhere on the injury front for Ward, however, with Michael Bridges due to train today despite ending Tuesday’s game with a knee problem.
“He was a bit sore at the time, but I think that was just the extent of a full 90 minutes,” said Ward. “Fingers crossed he should be ok now.”
Scott Dobie (ankle) and Bridge-Wilkinson (foot) were also set to train this morning after shrugging off minor injuries which kept them out of Tuesday’s tie.
JColman@cngroup.co.uk
