New boy Mike Jones says he wants to reach the Championship with Carlisle United.

The midfielder set out the huge ambition of climbing two levels with Keith Curle's Cumbrians after signing a two-year deal.

Former Oldham man Jones, 28, insists he would not have joined the Blues if he did not think they were capable of success.

He said: "Like the manager said, we want back-to-back promotions.

"We don't want to just settle for promotion next year, we want to get promoted again.

"It shows the ambition of the club and the staff."

Jones became Carlisle's seventh summer signing and will link up with his new team-mates for the start of pre-season training today.

The ex-Bury and Sheffield Wednesday man will be joined by fellow new faces Nicky Adams, Joe McKee, Russell Penn, Reggie Lambe, Jamie Devitt and Shaun Miller.

His arrival ended a summer-long pursuit by Curle and recruitment chief Lee Dykes, after his release by Oldham.

Jones says he was immediately sold on United after meeting Curle and Dykes.

And he is adamant that dropping down from League One can pay off in the long run.

"As a player you want to play as high as you possibly can but sometimes you have to step down," Jones said.

"I want to come straight back up. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe we could get promoted.

"Last season [at Oldham] was a grind to say the least. We got the job done in the end and stayed up, and it's nice not to have a relegation on your CV.

"But I'm looking forward to getting in a team that's winning games, and going home on a Saturday night with a smile on my face.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I was signing for a club that can be at the right end of the table."

United are now well-stocked with midfielders, but Jones says he will not shy from the battle for a place.

"The more competition for places the better," he added. "I don't want to come to a team where you think you're guaranteed to play every week.

"As a team and a squad you're not going to go anywhere like that. I'll embrace any competition."

Jones said the calibre of other signings such as his ex-Crawley team-mate Adams also convinced him of United's ambition.

On his own attributes, he added: "I like other people to do the talking about me as a player. But I want to get on the ball and make things happen.

"I'm never shy - if I lose the ball I'll want it again. I just want to get the team going, push them on. I like to get assists and chip in with goals - a typical midfielder."

Curle is chasing other signings and is believed to be keen on deals for some of the loan players United had last season.

The Blues also remain hopeful of agreeing new deals for defenders Tom Miller and Alex McQueen but it has not yet been confirmed whether the pair will be at training today.