Chris Beech says there is no bad blood with Harry McKirdy as Carlisle United prepare to face their former frontman this weekend.

The ex-Blues forward is likely to line up for Swindon against the Cumbrians tomorrow.

It is the latest reunion with the Blues for McKirdy, who was United’s 11-goal top scorer in the 2019/20 season before being released by Beech.

He signed for Swindon this summer after a bit-part spell with Port Vale last season, and scored on his Robins debut against Scunthorpe last weekend.

McKirdy’s time at Carlisle brought some impressive performances but also some spats with fans including on social media.

Beech, though, says he respects what the 24-year-old former Aston Villa player has to offer.

“I have no issues with Harry,” Beech said.

“I had good conversations with him and I wish him well.

“There’s no doubting his quality or his capability. I hope he’s very successful.

“Knowing Harry, he’ll probably want to step up to that plate.

“He tried to do it last season at Port Vale, and he did play against us, but there’s no personal vendetta towards Harry McKirdy. I wish him well.”

Beech says McKirdy is just one of the potential threats Carlisle must confront at the County Ground.

Swindon have been boosted by a recent takeover, which saw Australian businessman Clem Morfuni seize control from controversial previous owner Lee Power.

McKirdy was part of an eve-of-season recruitment drive under head coach Ben Garner, who was appointed by the new regime after previous boss John McGreal quit after just 30 days in charge at a stage the club's future was mired in uncertainty.

Beech said: “They’re a good team with some great players - Anthony Grant, Ben Gladwin, Mathieu Baudry…know-how down the spine of the team.

“Ben Gladwin…wow, what a footballer he is. He got his move to Blackburn but it didn’t quite work out for him. He did ever so well at Swindon under Mark Cooper, and he’s back there now and playing well.

“They’ve also got flair with Harry, Jack Payne, people like that, plus very attacking full-backs.

“They’re a good team. I have no doubt they’ll be good on Saturday and we’ll have to be very good to get a result.”

Beech, though, said it was irrelevant to United whether or not Swindon were lifted by recent off-field events.

“They’ll be in good spirits and good luck to them, well done to them for getting it all sorted. But ultimately Swindon won’t help me pay my mortgage, they won’t pay my players, they’re not going to look after us in terms of supporters,” he said.

“We’ve got to look after ourselves against them, whether they’re on an up, on a down or feeling pretty mediocre – it doesn’t matter. We’ve got to make sure we’re doing what we want to do.”