Nathan Thomas is Carlisle United’s main doubt for Saturday's game at Newport due to illness.

Manager Steven Pressley says the Sheffield United loan forward will be assessed before the Cumbrians leave for South Wales.

United’s boss may, though, include fit-again Stefan Scougall in his squad after the midfielder returned to full training after a hamstring injury.

Pressley said: “Stefan has trained with the group for the first time in four or five weeks which was really pleasing.

“Nathan has been off ill, so we’ll assess him over the next 24 hours.

“Everybody else, with the exception of Kelvin [Etuhu], is fit and ready to go.”

Pressley said it was probably too soon to consider Scougall for a starting place but he could join the substitutes.

Jack Bridge is available after suspension but Pressley said it will be a tough call on whether to recall the ex-Northampton man after Mo Sagaf’s midfield display against Oldham.

“Of course it’s a dilemma,” Pressley said. “It’s something I need to consider.

“Bridge has been one of our star performers but Mo Sagaf gave a terrific account of himself at the weekend.

“He gave us some good strength, and that’ll certainly be required down at Newport.”

Pressley has also suggested Thomas needs to increase his work-rate after substituting him at half-time in the 1-0 win against the Latics.

United’s boss said: “I’d spoken to Nathan at length last Thursday about what I expect from him in terms of his physical data. Because if we’re going to be a team that pressurises the game we have to cover a certain degree of distance, and run at a certain intensity.

“For me he’s not been doing that and didn’t do that at the weekend. It was affecting our performance and I made the substitution.

“Prior to him signing I made it absolutely clear to Nathan how he needs to work and what’s required. With all the players that came here, prior to them signing the contract I was clear on every aspect.

“He knows he needs to work harder.”