Carlisle boss John Ward admits it will be a massive boost if club captain Paul Thirlwell returns to action before the end of the season.Ward has been without the services of Thirlwell since the start of January due to an ankle injury, as the 29-year-old has been forced to endure a frustrating stop-start season at Brunton Park.

But the Blues boss - who takes his side to Leeds this weekend - is confident the midfielder will be back in first-team action soon and has hailed his professionalism.

"We think we might get Paul back for the last two or three games of the season and then if we go into the play-offs he'll be back for that as well," said Ward.

"Paul is club captain and I feel for him because he's missed a good season that the team has had.

"He's been very supportive off the pitch to the rest of the squad and he's been very professional and very thorough about wanting the team to do well."

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