Carlisle United have handed former Everton striker Manasse Mampala a trial.

And the 20-year-old frontman is set to get his first chance to impress in tonight's friendly at Penrith.

Congolese player Mampala has been training with the Cumbrians in the early stages of pre-season.

The Kinshasa-born forward, who moved to England as a child, was with Everton from the age of 15 before a spell with QPR last season.

He played for the Toffees' Under-23s, helping them to league and cup success in 2018/19, and performed in the EFL Trophy in 2018 and 2019.

Chris Beech will run the rule over the striker in United's pre-season opener at Frenchfield Park (kick-off 7pm).

He is one of "two or three" trialists Beech says has been with the squad in recent weeks.

United's boss said one of the other players has since been released.

That player had been invited back following an end-of-season trial week staged by director of football David Holdsworth.

"We don’t think he’ll make us better at this point," Beech said of the unnamed player. Hopefully he’ll get fixed up somewhere else."

Mampala, Beech said, could also feature in one of United's friendlies this Saturday.

The Cumbrians are due to send teams to both Hebburn Town and Workington Reds on the same day.

"If he does well we can then look at what’s round the corner for him next," Beech added.