Magnus Norman says he’s determined to “prove a point” by establishing himself as Carlisle United’s No1 this season.

The keeper says he can’t wait for the new campaign as he bids to step up for Chris Beech’s side.

Norman was largely understudy to Paul Farman last season but the experienced keeper’s departure to Barrow has given the younger keeper an opportunity.

Burnley loanee Lukas Jensen has arrived to compete for the first-choice position, but Norman says he’s eager to make 2021/22 a big season.

“I feel like I have more to prove this year, because I came here last year to play so it was a bit disappointing that I got injured,” he said.

“This year I’m going into the season fit and feeling good, so I feel like I’ve got a point to prove.

“I’m really excited to start the season. Hopefully I can stay in the team and help us do well.”

Norman rounded off his pre-season efforts with a clean sheet against FC Halifax Town on Friday night.

The Cumbrians are now building up to Saturday’s League Two curtain-raiser against Colchester at Brunton Park.

Former Fulham man Norman, 24, says anticipation is building for the August 7 clash.

“When we got into the dressing room [after Halifax] the first thing we talked about was Colchester,” he said.

“We want to get our heads right for that. Pre-season is done, we have a whole week of training and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Norman made six appearances last season, including a handful towards the end of the campaign, and the keeper says that has whetted his appetite for much more regular involvement this time.

He said: “I’ve played in League One before so I know league football, but those few games I played towards the end of last season just gave me the taste for it again and I know that’s what I want to do.

“I just want to play games every week and hopefully that’s what I can do this year.”

Norman felt Friday’s game, albeit against a Halifax side with a glut of trialists, was a “more realistic” test for United than the previous outing against Everton’s Under-23s, because the Blues were up against “men”.

He said United’s friendlies have provided good tests for the Cumbrians, whilst also speaking about new team-mate Jensen, young keepers Gabe Breeze and Scott Simons, and new goalkeeping coach Dan Hanford.

“I think pre-season has been good,” he said. “We’ve won all of the games apart from Blackpool and kept a lot of clean sheets which is always pleasing.

“We’ve played some really good football during the games and training has been really good, and that can only be a positive going into the season.

“Everyone gets on really well which is the same as it was last year. The new boys have come in and added quality to the group, and the young boys who have been training with us have all done well.”

Norman missed early pre-season games with a minor injury issue but says he is fully fit and raring to go.

“It was just a little niggle, if I carried on training it probably would have made it worse even though it wasn’t a bad injury,” he said. “It was better for me to sit out a few games and let it recover properly.”

On his new colleagues in the goalkeeping department, he said: “I didn’t know Lukas before but he’s come in and been great. He’s a good lad and we get on well, and he’s a good keeper so I’m sure we’ll push each other all the way.

“Both Gabe and Scott are very good keepers and could easily play for Carlisle if not higher. They’re both good keepers with all the right attributes you need.”

Hanford, meanwhile, has replaced Steve Collis as goalkeeping coach and Norman says the Welshman’s knowledge of the Blues will be an asset.

“I feel like all goalkeeper coaches are quite similar but they all put their own little touches on certain things,” he said.

“Dan is really good when it comes to realistic match prep – he’s recently experienced things as a player and I think that helps him make our training more realistic.

“He knows the club as well, so he knows what the fans expect which is an added bonus.”

Norman admitted he can’t wait to play in front of United’s supporters after last season was largely played behind closed doors because of Covid-19.

“It feels real when they’re in,” he said. “When we had the fans in for the couple of games where they were allowed last season we did well.

“It upped our game, and I think we did miss them. You get the extra boost at home so hopefully it stays normal this year and we get the fans in.

“We can’t wait to play in front of them for the Colchester game.”

Norman added that distribution is a big area of focus when it comes to the goalkeeping role this season.

He said: “We’ve worked on kicking quite a bit with the gaffer and the team because that’s obviously a big strength of mine.

“If we utilise it this year it can become a big threat. We’ve worked on who to hit in training and which areas to go for.”