Welsh has been out of action for a number of months with a groin injury. He missed thebest part of the second half of last season and has had setbacks in his recovery.
The combative midfielder returned to pre-season training and has featured but is currently not expected to break into the first team immediately.
It may well be that Neil allows Welsh to go out on loan to regain match sharpness given that Browne, Johnson, Pearson and Grimshaw are likely to fight it out for the central midfield spots at the start of the season.