Carlisle United's fellow League One strugglers Cambridge United have turned to Neil Harris as their new boss.

The former Millwall, Cardiff City and Gillingham manager has been appointed head coach at the Abbey Stadium.

Harris replaces the long-serving Mark Bonner who was sacked last week.

The 46-year-old has signed an 18-month contract ahead of his first game in charge against Charlton Athletic this weekend.

He takes the Cambridge helm with the club 18th in the third tier, four points above the relegation zone and a further point above third-bottom Carlisle.

The U's are without a win in their last four league games, having taken one point in that time - their last League One victory being their 1-0 home win over Carlisle on October 28.

Harris has returned to management just over a month after he was sacked by League Two club Gillingham.

Speaking about his appointment on Cambridge's website, said: "I am super excited and really pleased to be here.

“It’s a brilliant project in motion here and I just want to come and add some value to that."

The new boss, whose playing career included an early spell at nearby Cambridge City, added: "I have seen the team evolve over the past four or five years and have always followed the results from my connections with the club from my younger days.

"I have always had an affinity with Cambridge but the players here have some brilliant attributes that suit the way I want to play."

His squad at Cambridge includes the ex-Carlisle loan striker John-Kymani Gordon.

Cambridge owner Paul Barry added: “Neil is a head coach who brings great experience and a proven track record of success at a high level in the game.

"We are confident that he can get the best out of our players."

Carlisle take on Cambridge at Brunton Park on February 17.