Former Middlesbrough starlet and England Under-19s international Bruno Pilatos has joined Penrith AFC, ahead of their friendly against Carlisle United.

Andy Coyles’ Bonny Blues will play their second pre-season match this afternoon (3pm kick-off) against Steven Pressley’s side after last Saturday’s 3-1 home success over Sandbach United.

Goals from Bobby Atkinson, Kyle May and Matty Moynan earned Penrith the win against the Hallmark Security League First Division South side, before the Bonny Blues signed Angolan-born defender Pilatos on Thursday.

After the friendly against Sandbach, Coyles said: "It was [played at] a very good tempo.

"Sandbach are my local club, so I knew exactly what they would bring in terms of a physical presence and the speed of the game.

"There’s also a lot of quality in that side. So, we knew what they would bring.

"What we are trying to do is play better opposition, week in, week out, so that we can be in a solid position by August 3. But everything we wanted to achieve, we have achieved in terms of what we got out of the game in extremely difficult conditions in the heat.

"The lads in there are really tired and so they should be."

Looking ahead to the visit of Carlisle, Whitehaven-born Coyles added: “It doesn’t get any easier.

"But at the same time, it will be quicker, they will be stronger and there will be a lot more tactics which go into the game in terms of the instructions we give our boys.

"We are playing Carlisle and then Workington three days later as they are competitive fixtures and we will treat them as though they are league games.

"So, there will be a lot less chopping and changing."

Penrith yesterday were drawn away to Seaham Red Star on August 10 in the FA Cup extra preliminary round and at home to Guisborough Town in the FA Vase first qualifying round on August 31.