Manager Jim Nichols has admitted he is likely to make changes for Penrith AFC's Cumberland Cup tie against Braithwaite.

The Bonny Blues will be favourites for the game and Nichols is likely to use the match, which will be played at Frenchfield Park despite Braithwaite being drawn at home, to give some of his squad players a run out.

"It's a good opportunity to get the players that have not played a lot some game time," he said.

"At the moment, we have a squad of 20. It's difficult to keep everybody happy.

"Having a game like today's is a good chance to change it around. It gives them [the fringe players] the chance to play but it's still a strong side."

Some of Penrith's reserve players may be among those to get the chance to impress the first-team boss.

Nichols said: "I'm going to keep a couple of them in the squad.

"I haven't completely decided on my starting line-up yet but I'm definitely going to have a look at a couple of them."

But that doesn't mean it's a competition the Bonny Blues will be taking lightly.

"We are hoping it [the Cumberland Cup] is a competition we can do well in," he added.

"With the players we have available, I could almost get two different teams out.

"We would still expect both sides would be good enough to do well in the Northern League."

The Bonny Blues boss conceded he doesn't know much about this afternoon's opponents.

He said: "I don't know an awful lot about Braithwate and the people I have spoken to don't seem to know much about them, either."

Nichols is also hoping his side can get some good luck for a change this time around in a competition which hasn't been very kind to them in the past.

He said: "It's been a bit bizarre the last couple of years.

"Last year, we got knocked out at Workington, even though we were probably the better side.

"Carlisle have been knocked this year but there are still some decent teams left in the competition."

Penrith head into today's game on the back of a 4-2 win in the League Cup at Willington on Wednesday, which helped Nichols' men bounce back after consecutive defeats to North Shields and Marske United.

On Wednesday's match, Nichols said: "First half in particular, we were so dominant.

"I think we hit the post three times in the first half and still led 3-0 at half-time.

"Subconsciously, the lads maybe let Willington back in, in the second half. But it's pleasing to perform and progress in the cups."

Kick-off at Frenchfield Park for this second-round tie will be at 1.30pm.