Luke Joyce believes Carlisle United's series of non-league friendlies are giving the Blues a more useful build-up than had they played higher-profile opponents.

United's trip to Halifax this weekend is their fifth successive warm-up game against non-league opposition.

That leaves only next Friday's visit of Blackburn to give Keith Curle's side a test against an EFL side before the big kick-off on August 5.

But midfielder Joyce believes their run of games is handing the team a more realistic test than they may have expected had they faced more glamorous teams this summer.

"We played Blyth last Saturday, and fair play, they gave us a good game - they're a good team with some good players," he said.

"Games like that against your Blyths and Halifaxes are very similar to the type of games we're going to play this season.

"You could go and play Newcastle, Sunderland, all these big clubs, but you're not going to get a similar game to what you'll get in League Two.

"So I think the manager and the coaching staff have been clever in the games we've had.

"We are gradually stepping up with the opposition, but it's quite similar to what we're going to face."

Joyce believes United are making steady progress on the pitch so far this summer.

They have negotiated games against Carlisle City, Penrith, Workington Reds and Blyth without conceding.

Now it is Saturday's trip to The Shay to face Billy Heath's newly-promoted National League outfit.

"Pre-season's been fine so far, it's four games, four clean sheets, but we also know we can improve and we've got things to work on," Joyce added.

"We've not quite nailed down who's playing where, and there may be different formations but that's what pre-season's about."

Joyce saw off competition for his shirt in the early weeks of last season and says he is ready for another contest this time around, with Kelvin Etuhu having joined Curle's midfield ranks.

"It's part and parcel of the game," the 30-year-old said.

"Everyone's got to be kept on their toes and there's got to be healthy competition. You look at that midfield - there's myself, [Mike] Jonesy, Kelv, Dev [Jamie Devitt] can play in there, Samir Nabi, Jason Kennedy...you're looking at five or six players straight away who may be fighting for two or three spots at most.

"I'm ready for the fight and ready for another good old gruelling season."