Carlisle United's Owen Moxon: Josh Dixon can be Annan star

The two close pals will be in opposition tonight when the Blues head to Galabank for their first pre-season friendly (kick-off 7.45pm).

Midfielder Dixon was released by United this summer after 15 years with the club – and was quickly snapped up by Peter Murphy at Annan.

Moxon, who kickstarted his own career at Galabank after being let go by the Blues at 16, feels Dixon can thrive under Murphy.

“I’m really happy for Josh,” said Moxon. “He’s a really, really good player.

“He’s suffered a lot with injuries [Dixon overcame three ACL injuries at United]. It’s terrible, just unlucky. I don’t think there’s any way it could have gone worse for him.

“Now he’s sort of passed that, and I’m rooting for him. He’s such a good player and even better lad.

Josh Dixon left Carlisle this summer and joined Annan (Image: Richard Parkes)

“I’m rooting for him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will go there [to Annan] and smash it. I’m probably tipping him to be player of the season… no pressure! I hope he does well.”

Dixon came through the Blues academy and was highly regarded by United coaches, but saw his progress held up by repeated serious injuries.

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The 22-year-old Carlisle-born player now has the chance to shine with Murphy’s Scottish League One newcomers.

Several years at Annan proved the springboard for Moxon to return to Carlisle, where he starred in their own promotion season last term.

And of Dixon, midfield man Moxon added: “I think there was potential for him to stay full time, but when he spoke to the manager [at Annan] and went and trained with them, he loved it.

“He asked me my opinion and I said it’s a really good place for him to go and play, and the manager’s really good.

“There’s nothing stopping him doing the exact same as I did and coming back.

“I think it’ll be really good for him to go and play games. Hopefully it works out and I’m pretty sure it will.”

Moxon himself is looking forward to returning to Galabank with the Blues this evening.

He spent five years under Murphy at Annan.

Owen Moxon spent five years with tonight's opponents Annan (Image: Stuart Walker)

“I keep in contact with a lot of the lads, and the manager as well,” he said.

“They managed to get a new pitch just after I left – they clearly didn’t fancy putting that down whilst I was there!

“It’ll be nice to go back and play there, and see all the familiar faces within the club.

“We’re going there to do it properly, get the fitness out of it and the football side. But it will be good to go back and play a proper game there.”

Blues boss Paul Simpson is likely to involve his three summer signings to date – Jack Robinson, Alfie McCalmont and Ben Barclay – while he is considering whether to field three trialists who’ve been training with United.

It will also see a return to Annan for Carlisle defender Max Kilsby, who starred on loan for Murphy’s side last season.