Carlisle United No2 Colin West has saluted midfielder Mike Jones' determination to fight back from injury in time for the Blues' return to pre-season.

Jones missed the last two months of last season with an ankle injury.

But the 29-year-old has been putting in the hard yards on the training ground before his team-mates return for the start of their pre-season build-up.

The influential player's return will be a huge boost to manager Keith Curle as he plans for the 2017/18 campaign.

And West said it was no surprise to see Jones showing full commitment to getting back in top condition.

"To be fair to Mike, he's like that all year round," West said.

"Even when we are doing set-plays that he's not involved with, you look round and there is Mike doing planks and different exercises.

"It's just the mark of the lad.

"He's always been keen on his fitness and his football ability is unquestionable.

"It will be good to have him back."

Jones' rehabilitation included the use of an Alter-G anti-gravity running machine at Bolton University.

West, meanwhile, says United plan to build a squad of at least 23 or 24 players for the new season.

The Blues currently have 13 senior professionals on the books, plus four youth graduates on development deals.

Carlisle have yet to confirm any summer signings but are believed to be close to a number of deals.

West said: "Last year we went down a slightly different route, going with quality rather than quantity, and it did us really well up to a certain stage, but then kicked us in the backside at certain times with injuries.

"We like to have more than 23-24 even to the extent of, when we want to do 11 v 11 work, you've got to have that many players to do that, rather than bring in youth players and disrupt Darren Edmondson's work.

"Those are the sort of numbers we are looking at."