Chris Beech will give his Carlisle United players Christmas Day off – in the hope they will return refreshed for the big Boxing Day clash with Bolton.

Head coach Beech has decided against bringing his squad in for training on the eve of the December 26 clash with the pre-season title favourites.

Beech intends to complete pre-match preparations ahead of Christmas Day in order for his players to spend the day with their families.

While some club managers may insist on training the day before the game, Beech said it was important his troops had the day at home – and then returned ready to tackle Ian Evatt’s Trotters.

Beech said: “They’ll get some rest. I want them to spend it with their families.

“I’m quite comfortable with them doing that because life is all about your family in my personal opinion.

“I want them to make sure they enjoy that day, obviously behave correctly, and I want all of our Carlisle fans to enjoy their day as well.

“I hope everyone has a good Christmas then we can all get back together again for that important game against Bolton.”

Carlisle’s Boxing Day game will see another 2,000 home fans return to Brunton Park to see if United can reach the top of League Two.

Victory could take them to the summit depending on how leaders Newport and second-placed Forest Green fare against Crawley and Exeter respectively.

The December 26 fixture (kick-off 3pm) would normally have been expected to have attracted a big crowd.

Instead, Covid-19 restrictions mean the first league meeting between United and Bolton since 1988 will be limited to a sell-out 2,000 attendance, with no away fans allowed.

Carlisle will be hoping to get the better of a Trotters side who sit 15th in the table after an inconsistent campaign so far under former Barrow boss Evatt.

The visitors have a number of ex-Blues in their ranks, including defender Gethin Jones, midfielders Brandon Comley and Tom White.

Their other former United men Arthur Gnahoua and Shaun Miller are out with injury.

Beech, meanwhile, will be able to welcome back top scorer Jon Mellish after suspension, while defender Rod McDonald could return to the squad after injury.

After a recent rise up the table, Bolton have fallen back into lower mid-table by losing three of their last four games, including a 3-0 home reverse to Tranmere on Saturday.

Carlisle will be hoping for a swift response to their own defeat last weekend at Forest Green, which checked their impressive run of four straight wins.

Beech said his players must remain on an even keel whether in defeat or in victory to give themselves the best chance of resuming their good form.

He added: “They were hurting [after the Forest Green defeat] but they have to be mindful of how well they’ve done.

“In defeat and in winning, you have to make sure you stay level with what you’re doing, and have to understand the reasons why you’ve done well or not as well as you’d like.

“Accept that, be honest with yourself and then move on from that point.”

Trialist Cedwyn Scott boosted his bid for a Blues deal yesterday, meanwhile.

The Hebburn Town striker scored twice in an outing for United's reserves.

Scott featured in a 5-0 Central League Cup win at Beech's former club Rochdale.

Taylor Charters also netted twice with Sam Fishburn also on target.