New signings Terry Ablade and Jokull Andresson made their first Carlisle United appearances in a friendly against Blackburn Rovers.

The behind-closed-doors game - a 3-0 defeat for the Blues - saw Fulham frontman Ablade play the first hour following his season-long loan move.

It also saw recent goalkeeping loan arrival Andresson get his first taste of action in a United jersey as he played the full game.

They were involved as manager Paul Simpson used the game to give game time to a number of players who have not featured regularly in the side at the start of the campaign.

And there was also a welcome outing for fit-again teenage midfielder Kai Nugent, who played the first half on his return from an ankle injury.

Jack Ellis, Ben Barclay, Corey Whelan, Jack Robinson, Dan Butterworth, Taylor Charters and Joe Garner all played the full game with Jayden Harris getting 80 minutes.

Youth team players Jake Allan, Robbie Swinburn and Sam Hetherington all made substitute appearances.

Dylan McGeouch, though, was not involved, with Simpson preferring to keep the midfielder in training during the week as he returns from a hamstring injury.

Asked if the Scot could figure in the squad to face Port Vale on Saturday, Simpson said today: "Possibly the weekend’s a bit early, but we’ll see how he goes and what sort of work he does and what sort of reaction he gets to it.

"Signs are very good at the moment and he may come into my thinking for Saturday."

News and Star: Kai Nugent made his injury comeback in the game at BlackburnKai Nugent made his injury comeback in the game at Blackburn (Image: Barbara Abbott)

This afternoon's game at Blackburn's Brockhall training ground was not open to the media with the News & Star not able to attend.

Carlisle filed a report on their official website which said Ablade went close early on with a shot from a tight angle.

Garner also came close from distance and then hit the post.

Blackburn, though, scored midway through the second half then doubled their lead late on when Andresson was penalised for a challenge in the box.

After converting the penalty, Blackburn added a third with the final move of the game.

No details of the Blackburn players involved have been provided.

United: Andresson, Ellis, Barclay, Whelan, Robinson, Nugent (Hetherington 46), Butterworth, Harris (Swinburn 80), Charters, Ablade (Allan 60), Garner. Not used: Barry, Park.