[themaclad]

Carlisle United midfielder Brennan Dickenson will miss most of the League Two season with an ACL injury.

The 29-year-old was hurt during training just before the start of the Blues new campaign and will spend at least eight months on the sidelines.

"He needs an ACL reconstruction," manager Paul Simpson told BBC Radio Cumbria following their 1-1 draw against Colchester.

"We're hoping the operation will happen soon so we can start his recovery."

Dickenson has made 54 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions in his two seasons at Brunton Park.

"He's a real asset, he had a great pre-season, and he was showing me that he deserved to start," Simpson added.

"But now he's got a lot of work to do and we need to help him stay strong.

"Our job is to look after him because I imagine he's having a really tough time at the moment."

[themaclad]

Defender Jack Armer and midfielder Callum Guy have signed new contracts with Carlisle United.

Armer, 21, has sealed a three-year deal and been with the Cumbrians since joining from Preston in August 2020, and has four goals in 115 games since.

Former Derby and Blackpool midfielder Guy's two-year deal takes the 26-year-old up to the end of the 2025 season.

He has played 127 games for the Cumbrians, scoring three goals since his 2020 move to Brunton Park.

"I'm pleased we've got them both done," boss Paul Simpson told the club website.

"Jack is still very young, and Callum is a good age with a lot of experience and games under his belt now."

[themaclad]

Stockport have allowed Carlisle to extend the loan of defender Ben Barclay for the League Two play-offs, but he would not be allowed to face his parent club if they meet in the final.

The 26-year-old joined on a season-long basis in July 2022, and has scored one goal in 15 games for the Cumbrians.

Barclay has played the last nine games for Paul Simpson's side, only missing the game against the Hatters.

Carlisle play Bradford in the play-off semis, with Stockport facing Salford.

"I'm really delighted to get Ben's loan extended," Simpson said.

"We're fully aware that if we do make it to the final, and Stockport are our opponents, he won't be available for that, and that's something we'll just have to deal with."

Barclay scored his first goal for the Cumbrians in the 1-0 derby win over Barrow earlier this month, filling a right-back role.