Clint Hill will become one of the oldest debutants in Carlisle United's history if he is thrown straight into the action at Crewe tomorrow.

The 38-year-old last night signed a short-term deal at Brunton Park after impressing manager Keith Curle on trial.

Curle must now decide whether to start Hill tomorrow in a bid to inspire Carlisle back to winning form after a spell of two points from five games.

If the former Rangers man does get the nod, he will be the oldest new signing to make his Carlisle bow since Bryan "Pop" Robson returned to the club for a third spell in 1984 aged 39.

Hill, 39 next month, will also become the oldest player to make an appearance for the Blues since Paul Simpson brought the curtain down on his career in May 2006, aged 39 years and 284 days.

It is believed that only Simpson, Robson and Bob Kelly - Carlisle's oldest all-time player at 41 years and 295 days old when he made his last appearance n 1935 - will be ahead of Hill in the list of United's veterans.

The vastly-experienced Hill agreed to join United two days after scoring for their reserves against Morecambe.

That came after Hill returned to train with Curle's squad for a second time this month, having failed to agree terms to rejoin former club QPR.

Curle believes Hill is still in excellent shape and can be a positive influence on his team and squad.

"I know Clint very well and I'm pleased that we've been able to bring him into our club," Curle said on United's website.

"He is professional, thorough and diligent in everything he does and he'll enjoy being part of the group we've put together here.

"Fitness-wise he has looked after himself really well and his career path shows that has always been the case.

"He has played at the highest levels and brings a level of experience those around him will be able to learn from and work off.

"He sets and demands high standards and I know he sees this is a good challenge and one he's looking forward to."

Hill's 20-year first-team career began with Tranmere, while he went on to have spells with Oldham, Stoke, and Crystal Palace.

He also worked with Curle during a six-year stint at QPR before spending last season with Rangers, making 32 appearances for the Glasgow club.

He was released at the end of last season and trained with Chesterfield earlier this summer.

United have not yet specified how long Hill's deal runs for.

The Blues, meanwhile, will be hoping to come out on top of a host of player reunions when they bid to get their season back up and running tomorrow.

They will come up against a Crewe defence that includes former United centre-half Michael Raynes.

United, meanwhile, will involve former Alexandra men Shaun Miller and Mark Ellis.

Both sides are in difficult spells of form, with Crewe having lost four of their last five games and United having taken one fewer point from the same period.

Raynes insists sentiment won't come into things when he faces many of his former team-mates.

The man who was a mainstay of Carlisle's defence for the last two seasons, making 97 appearances, said: "It’ll be nice to see some old faces before the game and after, but for those 90 minutes it’s back to business.

“They [Carlisle] won’t have any sentiment with me so I won’t have any with them.

“It’s a good game, nice to look forward to, but a tough challenge. They are a very good side, they’ve not started as well as they’d have liked but the squad is very good, the core which got them to the play-offs last season is still there. It’s a good test.”