Chris Beech claimed Manasse Mampala can bring "something different" to Carlisle United's attack after handing the trialist a permanent deal.

The former Everton and QPR man is set to face Blackpool as a permanent Blues player this afternoon.

It comes after Beech saw enough in a two-goal trial spell to add the 21-year-old to his front-line options for the 2021/22 season.

The one-year contract was confirmed by the Cumbrians ahead of their first home friendly of pre-season against Neil Critchley's Championship visitors.

It also gives Mampala the chance of a home debut as fans return to Brunton Park for the first time in 2021.

After making Mampala his fifth summer signing, Beech said: “For those that haven’t seen him play, he gives us something different.

"He’s 6ft 2in and strong, and I’d like to encourage the physical side to his game.

“When he wants to be he can be a handful.

"He’s already integrated himself well within the group and once the supporters see what he’s all about I’ve no doubts he’ll also become a favourite with them."

Mampala has followed previous additions Tristan Abrahams, Zach Clough, Corey Whelan and Lukas Jensen into United.

He joins Abrahams and Clough in a new-look attacking line-up, after the summer departures of Joshua Kayode, Offrande Zanzala and Omari Patrick.

Beech told United's website that he has been aware of the Congo-born player for some time and that the Blues could benefit from the circumstances which limited his progress at Goodison Park.

"He was a regular goal scorer with their under-18s, and he progressed through to the under-23s where he perhaps didn’t have the same levels of success," the Blues boss said.

“Personally I think there were a couple of reasons for that. The physical and technical elements of the game change, more so the demands in those areas - the Premier League sides have the fire power to replace rather than enhance, which can often be an unforgiving environment.

“In the under-23s Manny ended up playing wide because of his pace, and to suit some of the other players they had in the building.

“Ultimately Everton allowed him to leave, and in stepped QPR, but put the pandemic and all the other nuances into the mix and he found himself a free agent this summer, probably at the wrong age and with little experience.

“He’s very much a work in progress, but if he listens and learns he’ll be an exciting player."