What Carlisle United players can expect on training camp

That’s according to Gavin Skelton, as the Blues today head to the University of St Andrews for a five-day stay.

United will have use of the renowned pitches at the facility north of the border, where they will also play a behind-closed-doors game against Scottish opposition.

Paul Simpson’s assistant manager Skelton says the accent will be on hard work and togetherness.

“It will be quite intense,” he said.

“It’s a good chance to get it in – you can get a day with double sessions, so that will be good.

“They might get a bit of time together – they might get an afternoon off when they can perhaps get a game of golf – but there will be no social evening or anything.

The University of St Andrews (Image: PA)

“We’ll also get a training game, a really competitive game, so that will be good.”

It is the second time in consecutive summers when Simpson has taken Carlisle to Scotland for such a training camp.

Last year they went to Largs, with this week’s trip taking them to a venue which is often used by a host of top sporting teams.

Skelton said the off-field aspect of the stay will be crucial too.

“It’s quality time together and it does bond people,” the coach said.

“I know it’s football cliches, and [when] people say, ‘it’s a good group’, that can be a generic thing that people trot out.

“New lads say it, and those who have just left say it as well – but this is a good group and it was one of the major contributing factors to what happened last year.

“The team spirit and togetherness helped with the consistency we saw last season and we want more of the same for the season coming up.”

United's squad for the trip will include trialist goalkeeper Dan Langley.