Academy manager Eric Kinder believes Carlisle United will be in for a tough test tonight when they visit Salford City in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The Blues Under-18s’ bid for success in youth football’s most prestigious competition will begin with a trip to the Peninsula Stadium. It will see Kinder’s team face an Ammies “Academy 92” side, coached by Jamie Russell this evening (7pm kick-off).

Kinder, who replaced Darren Edmondson this summer, said: “They [Salford] have two big centre-forwards who cause problems.

“They have a centre-half who causes problems from set plays. They look like they work on set plays a lot, so we will have to be strong [against them].”

Carlisle went out in the first round last season after a 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood.

But, this time around, Kinder will be hoping to emulate some memorable runs in his previous stint at the helm.

They included a victory over Manchester United in 2008 as the young Blues reached the quarter-finals.

"Just before I came here, they played Liverpool at Anfield," Kinder said.

"Then, when I came here, we got to the quarter-finals after beating Manchester United on an unbelievable night for the club.

"You always have a bit of a tingle just before FA Youth Cup nights."

Young defender Jarrad Branthwaite will not be involved for United's Under-18s, with the 17-year-old having established as a member of the first-team squad this season.