Carlisle United will soon learn their fixture list for the 2021/22 campaign.

The League Two fixtures for the Cumbrians' new season will be published at 9am today.

It will give the Blues and their fans a full rundown of games in a season which looks set to see supporters back in Brunton Park and away grounds.

Among the games on Carlisle's calendar will be their first league meetings with EFL new boys Sutton United.

First encounters with newly-promoted Hartlepool since 2016/17 will also be back on the agenda.

United will also face relgated quartet Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Northampton and Chris Beech's old club Rochdale in the new season.

The opening game of the campaign will be played on the weekend of August 7, 2021.

Carlisle began their previous League Two season with a 3-0 defeat at Cambridge in the Covid-delayed September start.

The campaign before was launched with a 2-1 home win over Crawley.

United fans will also have a close eye on the games over the festive period, as well as two all-Cumbrian league clashes with Barrow - hopefully this time in front of fans.

The fourth-tier season is due to end on the weekend of May 7, 2022, with the play-off final scheduled for May 28.

Carlisle will also learn their first round opponents in the Carabao Cup later today.

The Carabao Cup draw will see United in the northern section for the first round draw which is made at 3.40pm on Sky Sports.

The draw for the group stage of controversial Papa John's Trophy involving top-flight Under-21 teams will then be completed at 4.30pm.

United already know they will face Morecambe and Hartlepool in northern Group A, and will today discover which Premier League club they will also face.

The League Cup first round one games are due take place in the week starting August 9 - but some could be played earlier, with the EFL saying clubs are able to mutually agree an alternative date between July 31 and August 4.

The first Papa John's group games are due to be played in the week starting August 30.

The News & Star will have all the fixtures news from 9am today.