Carlisle United's home clash with Barrow in the new season has been brought forward - because of the World Cup.

The all-Cumbrian game at Brunton Park on Saturday, December 10 will now kick off at 1pm.

The Blues say the change is to avoid a clash with World Cup quarter-finals taking place on the same day.

The League Two fixture against the Bluebirds was originally due to start at 3pm - the same time one of the last-eight games at Qatar is scheduled to kick off.

Another quarter-final is due to get under way at 7pm that day.

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"Fingers are crossed that England will be involved, so an earlier kick-off timing has been agreed with that in mind," United said in a statement.

Last season's home game against Barrow - a 0-0 draw in November - drew one of the biggest crowds of the season to Brunton Park.

Some 7,470 fans watched the game and another good crowd will be anticipated for the meeting between Paul Simpson and Pete Wild's teams.

Another kick-off change in the 2022/23 season has, meanwhile, been announced by the Cumbrians.

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Their December 29 trip to Crewe Alexandra will now start at 7pm rather than 7.45pm.

The earlier start was agreed for the festive fixture after consultation between the clubs, Carlisle say.

"Both teams have mutually agreed on changing the kick-off to benefit all parties over the Christmas period," added Crewe, who recently signed two ex-Blues defenders in Kelvin Mellor and Rod McDonald.