Triple injury shock for Cumbrians

Livesey has been an ever-present for Carlisle this season

Carlisle United have been hit by the news that three first-team players face spells on the sidelines due to fitness problems.

Defender Danny Livesey has patella tendonitis - a disease in the tendon that causes inflammation - and is likely to be out for several weeks.

Midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson faces at least two weeks out with a troublesome toe injury.

Another midfielder, Jeff Smith, has a hip problem and is set to miss a month.

Livesey, 24, the club's vice-captain, was named in last season's League One Team of the Year after a series of outstanding displays alongside Peter Murphy in the centre of defence.

Livesey was an ever-present in the Carlisle side this season but has been suffering from a sore knee for several weeks and was referred to a specialist.

Carlisle physio Neil Dalton said: "He will now do nothing for a week then follow that up with some light work with me.

"The surgeon will see him again after that and then hopefully we will have some good news on the situation."

Smith had only just returned to the Carlisle first-team

Bridge-Wilkinson, who joined the Cumbrians from Bradford City in the summer of 2007, has struggled for form this season after struggling with a toe injury over the last few months.

The toe is not believed to be broken and the player will see a specialist in Manchester this week.

Smith, 28, has a labral tear in his hip joint which he picked up during last month's 3-2 win over MK Dons at Brunton Park.

He will now undertake a four-week rehabilitation programme after which he will be further assessed.

"The good thing about the situation for him is that he will be able to swim and run," added Dalton, "so, once we get him back, his fitness levels will be fine."