Morecambe boss Derek Adams expects his side to have more of the ball against Carlisle United today than in their last pre-season outing.

The League One side, who host the Blues this afternoon, took on Middlesbrough last time out.

They were beaten 3-0 by an impressive Championship side in what was Morecambe's first home friendly of the summer.

Today's test against Paul Simpson's men should be a more realistic contest as the Shrimps eye the 2022/23 third-tier season, manager Adams said.

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Paul Simpson expects Morecambe to be 'in our faces' in pre-season friendly

"I don't think we'll see the ball less than we did [against Middlesbrough]," said Adams, speaking on his club's official channels.

“We are going to play another Championship here in Stoke in the League Cup, so this [against Boro] has been a good test for that game.

"Carlisle on Saturday will be a different test as they will play in a style that many teams in League One will this season.”

Morecambe, who held onto their League One status last season, could involve a number of their summer signings against the Blues.

Players joining the Shrimps include former Sunderland and Salford City full-back Donald Love, ex-Preston North End keeper Connor Ripley, former Mansfield Town defender Farrend Rawson, ex-Fleetwood Town and Salford creator Ash Hunter, former Lincoln City defender Max Melbourne, former Port Vale midfield man Jake Taylor and Southampton loan midfielder Caleb Watts.

Speaking after the Boro game, Adams added: “This team hasn’t played together many times, we have a new squad, it is important that they understand each other, this is the first time we have played at home, so it has been a good work out for us."