The players owe Carlisle United’s fans a performance, according to boss Steven Pressley ahead of their match against title-chasing Lincoln.

Pressley, whose side desperately need to find form again if they are to keep their fading League Two play-off hopes alive, revealed he had “a frank” meeting with his team yesterday.

He says those discussions were followed by “one of the best training sessions” they had enjoyed in three months in charge. But he concedes it’s what United’s players do against already-promoted Lincoln on the pitch on Friday that matters.

“I had quite a productive meeting with the players today, quite a frank meeting. When I watched Saturday’s game back, the game was not played in the way I expect of a Steven Pressley team,” he said at yesterday's press conference.

“We lacked physicality, which I accepted on the day, but intense football is something that I demand, and intense football is always associated with my teams, and I didn’t see intense football at the weekend. Under no circumstances do I expect a repeat of that performance. 

“We had a very frank meeting on that. I made it clear what I expect and I expect a response. Immediately, we go out and have one of the best training sessions that we have had in my time here.

"But that’s a training session. I expect that to be brought to the game on Friday because I think the players really owe this club that at this moment in time.”

With the Imps having secured promotion to League One, they are now one win away from being crowned League Two champions. Lincoln say they have already sold more than 2,000 tickets for the clash, meaning a bumper crowd is expected. 

When asked what his message to United’s supporters was, he said: “Absolutely get behind the team, but absolutely this team has a responsibility to ensure we get them off their seats and get them fully behind us.

"I intend to make sure they are in that frame of mind come kick-off.”

On the injury front, meanwhile, the Blues boss said Kelvin Etuhu (ankle) hasn’t yet returned to training, but is hoping for some more positive news regarding some of his other senior players’ fitness.

He added: “We will only know tomorrow, really. The hope is, on some of them, they will step it up again today and, if they are in a good place, we will look to incorporate them into training for tomorrow. 

“But it’s still at the early stages yet, so I won’t really know until after tomorrow’s training session.” 

Carlisle have confirmed a minute’s silence will be held before their match against Lincoln in memory of legend Ivor Broadis.