Two young Carlisle United prospects will be on opposite sides when their loan clubs meet in Scottish League One.
Kai Nugent and Max Kilsby will be in action for Annan Athletic and Queen of the South respectively in Saturday’s derby.
Defender Kilsby spent the first half of the campaign – as well as last season – with Annan, before switching to Queens in January.
The 20-year-old has made four appearances for the Doonhamers since his move on transfer deadline day.
Midfielder Nugent, 18, is on a season-long loan with Annan and has totted up 18 appearances so far under Peter Murphy, scoring three goals.
Improving Annan will be hoping to make it fourth-time lucky against their Dumfries & Galloway rivals at Galabank.
Queens have won their three previous meetings in League One this term, winning 3-1 and 2-1 in their home encounters as well as 1-0 at Annan.
Second-bottom Annan have shown some encouraging signs recently, including a dramatic late fightback to draw 1-1 at runaway leaders Falkirk last weekend when Nugent came off the bench.
Tom Muir’s injury-time goal meant Annan were only the sixth side to avoid defeat against the Bairns in 2023/24.
Murphy’s men have won three, drawn one and lost three of their last seven outings, following a long winless stretch.
Queens sit eighth under manager Marvin Bartley, after five games without a win. Their side includes the ex-Carlisle United pair Josh Todd and Gavin Reilly. They drew 2-2 with Stirling Albion last time out with Kilsby in the starting line-up.
Kilsby and Nugent are among five young Blues out on loan, with youth team trio Sam Hetherington, Jake Allan and Aran Fitzpatrick all impressing for Workington Reds.
The youth team trio, who are on work experience loans, will be in the mix for Danny Grainger’s side when they take on Hyde United at Borough Park on Saturday.
Hetherington scored his first goal for Reds in impressive style last weekend during the 3-1 win at FC United of Manchester in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
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