A depleted Penrith squad today will host Northern League leaders North Shields.

Boss Jim Nichols will be without a number of his regular first-team players, who will be on a stag do.

But one player that will be in the Bonny Blues' young squad will be Carlisle United goalkeeper Morgan Bacon after a deal to bring the 18-year-old to the club on a work experience package was announced on Thursday.

The Bonny Blues moved to recruit a keeper from their Cumbrian neighbours after goalkeeper Jonny Jamieson picked up an injury in last weekend's 5-0 defeat at Bishop Auckland.

Manager Nichols said: "We are really thankful to Darren [Edmondson, Carlisle academy manager].

"I was talking to him last week about another player and he said he has a goalkeeper. I said 'I don't need a goalkeeper' then I gave him another ring on Saturday evening.

"Hopefully, it will be a good experience for Morgan."

Penrith have not lost at home since December but will face arguably the best in the Northern League at Frenchfield Park this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Nichols said: "I have a very depleted squad. I also have seven players on a stag do, so they are all missing.

"I have a full squad but with a lot of reserve team players involved. It's going to be a tough game.

"It's about the toughest game we could play. I think we have four players over the age of 21 in my current starting line-up.

"But now is some of the players' chance. If they do well, they can keep their place. They are playing the best there is in the league.

"Let's be honest, nobody is expecting a good performance - but we are.

"It's not ideal that so many young lads are playing. But, if they play well, they will stay in the front of my mind."

Meanwhile, reflecting on last Saturday's defeat which came as Penrith ended the match with nine men, the Bonny Blues boss added: "It was a real weird game.

"First 20 minutes, it was even and we had the better chances. Their first goal took a huge deflection off Grant [Davidson].

"Dean Rea then kicked out at someone and was sent off. Second half, Bobby Atkinson went in goal for the whole half.

"Martyn [Coleman] then got sent off but we didn't think it was a sending off. It was a real disappointing game. We hurt ourselves."

Penrith head into the game in 14th in the Northern League table.