Defender Tom Parkes says he expects a tough test from Carlisle United’s final pre-season friendly against Blackburn.

United’s preparations for their first League Two fixture of the 2017/18 season, at home to Swindon a week tomorrow, will conclude at Brunton Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

It will be a step-up in opposition as Keith Curle’s Blues face a Rovers team who are expected to be battling it out at the top of the League One table, with Carlisle having only faced non-league opposition up until this point.

Blackburn have already played two League Two sides in their previous two warm-up fixtures, beating Grimsby Town and Morecambe with former Carlisle United man Danny Graham among the goals.

Parkes, who joined the Cumbrians this month on a two-year contract and could make his first appearance for United at Brunton Park, said: “Blackburn will be a test.

“You are playing a team that were two leagues higher than you last year, but that fitness and sharpness, you will have to step it up a little bit more now.

“The higher you go the quicker the tempo is, and that could suit us as well. That is the way we want to play.

“If I get to play, it will be great for me to play in front of the Carlisle fans. I just want to show people what I’m about and, hopefully, they will take to that.”

United are unbeaten in pre-season and are yet to concede with Parkes having played a part in every game so far in the build-up to the 2017/18 campaign.

Tonight’s clash will be Carlisle’s first pre-season friendly at Brunton Park in nearly two years.

The fixture comes after United drew 0-0 with FC Halifax Town last Saturday following a week, in which, they returned to Cassius Camp before also heading to Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

On his first experience at Cassius Camp with the Blues, big centre-back Parkes said: “It was a one-off experience but I enjoyed it.

“It was very, very tough. I learned so much from it and to go out of your comfort zone is a great thing for me to do.

“It’s been hard but that is what we needed. We need it to be hard so when the Swindon game does come, we are flying. I’m feeling good in myself.”

Parkes admitted he has “loved every minute” of his time with the Blues.

He said: “I’m enjoying my time here. I have loved every minute of it. There is great management and staff, and a great bunch of lads.”

On what he has made of the squad so far, he added: “They are great bunch of lads. You can see why they were where they were last season.

“All of them are so comfortable on the ball, and the way they play is good. For me to come into a squad like this and be able to fit in like I have done helps me massively.”

Parkes joined Carlisle following Leyton Orient’s relegation from League Two last term.

“It was difficult, a difficult year but I’ve got to put that behind me now,” he said.

“My focus is Carlisle United and I want to try and help them get one step higher than they did last season.

“If we can do that, it would be a great achievement for me and a massive achievement for the club.”

This week, the Cumbrians cancelled the contract of centre-back Shaun Brisley by mutual consent as he moved to league rivals Notts County. But they added firepower to their ranks in the form of striker Richie Bennett from Barrow – who scored for the Bluebirds against Blackburn when the two teams faced each other in pre-season – on Tuesday night.

A trialist, understood to be former Wigan man Sam Cosgrove, remains with Curle’s squad. Jason Kennedy (illness) and ex-Blackburn man John O’Sullivan (injury) are continuing their respective recoveries.