Matt Dennis has not been ruled out of making a return to action for Carlisle United this weekend.
Boss Mark Hughes says the striker will be given as long as possible before a decision is made on his involvement against AFC Wimbledon.
Head coach Hughes said the hamstring problem that kept Dennis out of the 1-0 defeat at Harrogate Town last weekend is not serious.
He said he will not take a risk on the 22-year-old but he will "hopefully" be in contention for the crucial Brunton Park clash.
"He did a bit of work today and we'll see how he goes," said Hughes.
"We just have to make sure there isn't a reaction."
Hughes said Dennis has had the injury scanned and added: "It's not clear - it's not a pull as such. I'm not a medical person so there's probably a better phrase than that.
"But the fact that he can do a little bit of work this week illustrates the fact that it's not [more serious] because clearly then he wouldn't be able to do anything.
"There may well be something going on but it's a case of just settling him down and making sure he's comfortable.
"It could very well be just a bit [of a] neural [issue with the hamstring].
"Thankfully it isn't too significant. We'll give him as much time as he needs and hopefully he'll be an option for us."
Hughes stressed he wouldn't take "any risks" if there remained a doubt about Dennis after being assessed on Friday.
Joe Bevan is also being monitored after a similar problem kept him out of action.
Georgie Kelly trained on Thursday after missing the early part of the week with illness (Image: Richard Parkes)
Georgie Kelly missed the early part of the week's training - including an in-house game on Tuesday - with illness, but the striker returned to training today, Hughes said.
"We're still trying to build up Georgie," said Hughes.
"He's missed a lot of football so the fact he was able to play a part last week I think encouraged everybody.
"We probably can't do too much more with the week he's had this week but it gives us a different option, if I go that way, in terms of what he offers off the bench so we'll see how he is this week."
Hughes said gauging the workload to give certain players remained a careful consideration even when factoring in United's urgent need for points.
But he also said the players themselves had responsibility in this respect.
"You've got to be really careful but you've got to be fair to the player himself as well," added Hughes.
"He [Kelly] has had a lot of issues that have held him back and we're mindful of that.
"But I think Georgie and any player would know what they can do. You get to a point where you do manage yourself.
"As long as that management of your wellbeing within the game still allows you to be effective and be a problem to opposition teams then I'm okay with that.
"Clearly you want everybody to give everything they've got and they will do that, but usually it's a case of managing yourself and understanding what you can give safely and that comes from the player themselves."
