Manager James Tose says Carlisle City’s new players have already gelled in well with the current squad.

The Sky Blues returned for their first pre-season training session last Tuesday evening, before also announcing the captures of Josh Simpson and Rob McCartney last week.

Josh, the nephew of England Under-20s head coach and a recent World Cup winner Paul, and former Workington Reds’ man McCartney have previously turned out for Carlisle City.

Both moves will be the subject of international clearance with the pair having had stints at Gretna in 2008.

“Usually, there is a little bit of integrating with new signings,” Tose said. “But the lads sort of already knew each other which is good.”

On how his team’s first pre-season session went, he added: “It was good. We had a good turn-out. We had a few new faces.

"But still there were still five or six missing through work and other things to come in. But it was good to see the enthusiasm there. There are lots of lads who want to help us to improve next season.

“I would like to think we are going to have a stronger squad.”

City will begin their pre-season campaign with a home game against Carlisle United.

Tose said: “It is really good for us to have that game, especially at the start of pre-season.

“Hopefully, a lot of Carlisle United supporters come along. Obviously, financially, it is great.”

Ahead of the friendly, boss Tose plans to put his players through his paces.

But he added: “I don’t put them through anything I haven’t done myself. They will do what I did.”

Carlisle City have been drawn away to Atherton LR in the first round of the Macron Cup, with the winners to play Widnes in the second round.

City and Atherton will also meet in the Reusch First Division Cup first round.