Carlisle have been hit by the news that Chris Lumsdon will need to undergo surgery to cure a back problem which he picked up in pre-season.The 28-year-old sustained the injury during the friendly against Partick Thistle and suffered from severe back spasms after the game.

United physio Neil Dalton refused to pencil in a date for Lumsdon's return to action but he will almost certainly miss the start of the campaign.

"They've had a look at him and have advised he needs to have the injection," Dalton told the club's official website.

"We find we can't put any timescales on it because we really are in the hands of the surgeon.

"Hopefully when it's done things will start to ease up for him because it has been a really frustrating period for him."

More Football News from TEAMtalk