Carlisle United are waiting to learn exactly how many National League games new signing Micah Obiero will miss while on international duty. Assistant manager Louis Storey confirmed the club expects clarity within the next 48 hours.

Storey said the information is needed to finalise training plans for a busy week of fixtures. "We’re having some communication in the next couple of days to specifically clarify how many games that is," he said. Obiero is set to link up with the Kenya squad for two AFCON qualifiers, against Eritrea on September 26 and Guinea on October 1.

Squad impact

This schedule means the forward is certain to miss Carlisle's home game against Woking next Saturday. He is also in line to be absent for the midweek trip to AFC Fylde on September 29. There is a strong chance his absence could extend to the visit to Aldershot Town on October 3. His potential unavailability is a blow for a side sitting 16th in the table with 10 points from nine games.

The club's injury situation is beginning to ease, however. Storey indicated Regan Linney, Morgan Feeney and Brad Nicholson could return for the Woking match. Linney missed the 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh with tonsillitis, Feeney was out with a calf problem, and Nicholson was sidelined by a lung infection. "Morgan has been thrown in at the deep end after returning from his summer injury after next to no pre-season," Storey noted of the defender's rushed comeback.

Kenton Richardson and Callum Whelan both returned to action in that loss at Eastleigh, which leaves Carlisle's recent form at one win, two draws and two defeats from their last five.

Remaining absentees

Not all news is positive. Elliot Embleton has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury. Luke Armstrong, Toby Mullarkey, Bevis Mugabi and Harvey Macadam also remain unavailable. With five outfield players currently sidelined, that represents half of the available group.

The immediate focus is preparing for Woking's visit to Brunton Park. The visitors are 18th, just two places below Carlisle. Storey and his staff will finalise their plans once they receive definitive news on Obiero's travel schedule. The club hopes to have a clearer picture by Wednesday as they build towards Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

Read the full report at News & Star