Chris Beech says Carlisle United face a big test tonight against big-spending Salford City.

As Brunton Park welcomes 2,000 supporters back, United take on Richie Wellens’ side.

It is Carlisle’s second ever league meeting with the club backed by Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ legends.

Salford are a point and a place behind the eighth-placed Cumbrians and, asked to assess the size of the test against the Ammies, Beech said: “It’s a big one. A really big one. They’ve got great players.

“I won’t compare finances, it’s not even worth it…”

Beech said he is looking forward to having some of United’s fans back in the stands tonight.

The United head coach said: “It’s superb and something I’m looking forward to.

“There’s been a lot of debuts over the last 12 months, since the restart of our campaign, lot of goals and great things and patterns which they haven't been able to see in person.

“I think Sunday [against Doncaster] would have been a great occasion to have them – they may have sucked the ball into the net in the last 10 minutes.

“We didn’t get there, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Beech also joked that United’s fans can give him the kind of vocal support he would have appreciated when speaking to the officials on Sunday.

“It [having fans in the ground] would have put that referee under a bit of pressure if they’d been here,” he said.

“I need some support with that. I get a bad throat with moaning at the fourth official, I’ll be getting a reputation. I know the officials don’t do it on purpose, but the fans can do the moaning for me when they get back…”

Beech remains without defender Rod McDonald tonight while Brandon Thomas-Asante is missing for the visitors through suspension, with Richie Towell, James Wilson and Darron Gibson also out.