Trialist keeper Dan Langley looks set to get his latest chance to impress as Carlisle United return to action tonight.
The Blues take on Chorley (Victory Park, 7.30pm) in their penultimate pre-season friendly.
It is likely to offer ex-Newcastle United man Langley another opportunity to catch Paul Simpson’s eye in his bid for a contract.
Assistant boss Gavin Skelton said Langley would “hopefully” play after United’s established No1 Tomas Holy got the full 90 minutes against Newcastle’s Under-21s on Saturday.
Players who did not start in the weekend friendly are set to start tonight.
As well as Langley, that should include the likes of Ben Barclay, Jayden Harris, Joe Garner, Corey Whelan, Dylan McGeouch, Max Kilsby, Taylor Charters, Dan Butterworth and Jack Robinson.
It remains to be seen, meanwhile, whether Fin Back will go straight into the mix after rejoining the club on loan yesterday.
And there will be added intrigue over Owen Moxon's involvement in light of last night's reports that Blackpool had bid for the midfield star.
“It was always the plan to rotate it between [Saturday’s] game and [this one] because it’s important that everybody gets used to 90 minutes again,” said Skelton, after eight players got the full game against Newcastle.
United tonight take on a Chorley side managed by former Blues striker Andy Preece.
The National League North outfit were also in action on Saturday as they lost 1-0 to Bradford Park Avenue.
Preece’s side finished 12th in non-league’s second tier last season, missing out on the play-offs by a two-point margin.
Skelton feels it will be a very different test for Carlisle than that which they received against Newcastle’s young side on Saturday.
“It will be physical and competitive,” said Paul Simpson’s No2.
“In any friendly, any player will be keen to put one over one us along their preparations, and that’s what you want from pre-season.
“They did well last year, play in a very competitive league and will be expecting to do well again this year, and you’re getting closer to the season, so we’ll expect a tough physical test.”
Chorley were recently taken over by Reset Events, led by entrepreneur Prince Yemoh.
Preece, who played under Paul Simpson at Carlisle from 2003-5, scoring ten goals in 45 appearances, has been in charge at the Lancashire club since May 2022, having initially joined as director of football.
The Magpies yesterday announced the return of their former manager Jamie Vermiglio as their new chairman.
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