Former Carlisle United frontman Harry McKirdy has linked up with one of their League Two rivals.

The forward is training with Port Vale following his release by the Blues earlier this summer.

McKirdy, 23, is based near Stoke and Valiants boss John Askey confirmed he is running the rule over the former Aston Villa man.

“He is available, he lives locally and with Rhys Browne going, it gives him an opportunity to come in and show us what he can do," Askey told The Sentinel.

“He can play right or left side so we thought we would have a look.”

McKirdy scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for the Cumbrians last season.

The former Stoke youth player caught the eye with some impressive performances, including against Cardiff in the FA Cup.

But his time with the Blues also had its frustrations, as the relationship between McKirdy and some United fans soured.

Upon releasing him, boss Chris Beech said McKirdy no longer wanted to be at the club.

“Harry wasn’t happy. He lives in Harry’s world. Harry needs to find a place where he is happy for those skill sets to be more consistent," Beech said.

If McKirdy earns a deal at Vale Park he would join a number of fellow former Carlisle players in Luke Joyce, David Amoo, Mark Cullen and Shaun Brisley.

Goalkeeper Joe Fryer, meanwhile, could be set for a League One move following his recent trial with the Blues.

Fryer is in talks with newly-promoted Swindon.

The Middlesbrough man was with United at the start of pre-season and played in their first friendly at Fleetwood as he pursued a possible second stint with Carlisle.

United, though, signed Magnus Norman and Paul Farman - and subsequently Marcus Dewhurst - leading Fryer to head elsewhere.

Swindon boss Richie Wellens told The Advertiser: "We have offered Joe something but we are a little bit away in terms of length of contract and the salary.

“We’ll try and get something sorted before the weekend. If not, we might have to drag it through to the early part of next week."