Carlisle United manager John Sheridan has urged potential transfer targets to get real with their expectations in a crowded summer marketplace.

The Blues boss, who has made five signings so far, says some players are setting their sights too high as they seek new clubs.

Sheridan says that, had he been in their position, he would always have preferred to sort out his future at the start of pre-season.

He said some players risk being left behind if they take the wrong "advice" and delay their decisions.

As the Blues boss seeks another three or four new faces, he insisted there remains plenty of quality players available.

He added: "There's loads of players out there, but some of them think they are better than they are.

"Some will come unstuck, because they are going to keep going lower and lower, because there are so many players out there.

"As a player, I would like to know where I am. I would have had a club by now. I wouldn’t be waiting around until I can get a little bit more. I would want to know where I'm going [by] pre-season.

"Unfortunately, where the game is now, they get advice from people. That's their prerogative."

While the free agent market remains under consideration, Sheridan added that the fact he is targeting a number of loan players means those particular targets will be up to speed with training and fitness work.

Another possible recruit at United is former Nottingham Forest forward Lewis Walters, who has been training with the Blues squad this week.

Sheridan could include the 23-year-old, and other trialists, in Carlisle's first friendly at Barrow on Tuesday night (Holker Street, 7.45pm).

United have now been back on the training pitch for more than a week as Sheridan's reign starts in earnest.

The return of keeper Adam Collin on a one-year deal this week took his tally of signings to five, with the manager still chasing a right-sided centre-half, a midfielder and a striker.

Sheridan, meanwhile, says United are unlikely to go away for a pre-season camp this month.

The last three summers saw previous boss Keith Curle take his squad to the Cassius Camps outdoor training centre near Windermere.

Sheridan did not rule out holding a team bonding day but an extended trip away from Carlisle is not on the cards.

"Everything happened a bit late, in terms of plans for pre-season," he said.

"We might have a day out somewhere. I've heard there's a little adventure place so we might get the players up there kayaking.

"But pre-season is about working hard. It's not about enjoying yourself or having a jolly-up.

"I'll reward them, when they get a day off, and once we get all the players in it might be a good opportunity to have a little bonding session, but going away for a couple of days - I don’t think so."

Members of Sheridan's backroom staff and players will today take part in United's annual golf day, held in memory of former director Dick Young.

The sold-out event gets under way at Carlisle Golf Club at 1pm.