Chris Beech says Jack Bridge earned another chance in the Carlisle United side that is aiming for a third straight win today.

The midfielder played his part in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory at Forest Green, having been recalled in a right-sided role.

Beech said Bridge deserved another opportunity, having responded well to being axed as a result of Carlisle’s 3-0 home defeat to Plymouth earlier this month.

The 24-year-old will hope to feature against Mansfield this afternoon.

Beech said: “He [Bridge] is a technical football player but I’m frustrated with him when he played inside; I dropped him after the Plymouth game because he let [Antoni] Sarcevic in on the first goal we conceded in a tight match.

“That game then drifts away from us because of those incidents. He has to understand they’re vital and important if you play in this team.

“But I’ve had good conversations with him, and was at the Blackpool reserve game last week; I saw good things out of him so I’ll support anybody that’s willing to run hard.”

Former Northampton man Bridge had a hand in Nathan Thomas’s opening goal and will be hoping to hold onto his place today.

He could face a challenge from new signing Callum Guy if Beech shuffles his midfield options.

New keeper Marcus Dewhurst could be in the squad but United have not confirmed whether fellow deadline-day arrival Omari Patrick was registered in time for the game.

The striker last night tweeted that he would be at Mansfield to "cheer the team on".

United are seeking a third straight win for the first time in over a year when they head to the One Call Stadium to face Graham Coughlan’s side.

Hat-trick hero Thomas will face one of his former clubs as the Blues bid to increase their 10-point gap above the relegation place.

Beech said it will be a “completely different” game than at the New Lawn, and challenged his side to keep up the efforts they have shown in recent outings.

He added: “I want to create a club and team environment that’s competitive and has elite standards to it. We’ve got a long way to go.”

Beech is unlikely to make many changes to the side that impressed in Gloucestershire, with Joshua Kayode hoping to continue up front having opened his Football League account on his full debut.

It remains to be seen whether Harry McKirdy will be deemed ready to return having missed the last two games with a hamstring problem.

Mansfield, meanwhile, will check on ex-United loan man Hayden White, with striker Craig Davies also close to a comeback after injury.

New loan defender Kelland Watts, who joined this week from Newcastle, may also feature, while Mansfield also last night signed Swansea midfielder Jack Evans on loan.

Ex-Blues striker Andy Cook will not be involved having left Mansfield to join his former club Tranmere on loan before the transfer deadline.

The Stags sit two places and two points below 19th-placed United.