Chris Beech says Carlisle United will replace their postponed trip to Cheltenham with some hard training sessions as the Blues bid to return to winning ways next week.

With tomorrow’s game suspended because of Covid-19 cases in the home squad, United must wait until next Tuesday’s visit of Leyton Orient for their next game.

In the meantime, head coach Beech says a tough session today will be followed by an in-house 11v11 game tomorrow as United continue their efforts to return to their peak after a recent four-week spell without a match.

“We’ll work very hard for these couple of days, we’ll rest Sunday, match prep Monday, and touch wood and weather pending we’ll look forward to a good game at home against a good team in Leyton Orient,” Beech said.

“The biggest [difficulty] for me [recently] is not being able to train outside, but today we can – the weather’s good.

“Hopefully we can get some dry weather, and we have the capability of training on our pitch [at Brunton Park] tomorrow.

“It’s a great way of resetting and creating good quality training sessions, and getting the boys doing what we do best.

“I’m really looking forward to the next two days, getting the tracksuit on, the whistle out, getting everybody at it, it’s a part of the job you really enjoy.”

United’s return to action has brought a 1-0 win over Exeter last Saturday and Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Forest Green.

The Cheltenham postponement means it is due to be four consecutive home games for the Blues, with Orient’s visit next, followed by next weekend’s clash with Crawley.

Beech has admitted United were not at full tilt in the first half of Tuesday’s defeat as they continue working to regain peak fitness and sharpness after a long lay-off.

“I’m so pleased for the players getting a victory over the Saturday-Tuesday, because of the period we’ve had,” he said.

“But nobody’s too interested in ifs, buts and maybes, everybody looks at facts of games. There’s not too much compassion in our great sport if you don’t win a game or win well.

“We’ve got to understand that. Stocks and shares of football is the value of three points and I’m pleased we managed to get a victory [over Exeter].

“It’s really good we’re getting outside today, and we will tomorrow on our pitch, to try and get the lads in that rhythm of being used to Saturday-Tuesday.

“We’re going to have a game amongst ourselves on Saturday, and today we’re outside, working in a bigger group and doing what we’re meant to do, which is getting ready to play our opponents.

“All sessions are vital in my opinion – every day’s a day to get better. You are where you are at that point, you’re utilising everything you can to get better for tomorrow.”

United, like their fellow clubs, are also continuing to undergo twice-weekly Covid-19 tests.

“It’s easier now, the tests are a lot quicker,” Beech said. “I’ve just had mine now [before this press conference], and players are coming in slightly earlier to get tested twice a week, waiting patiently for an hour, and touch wood everybody comes through it.

“At that point you can step forwards into doing your training and getting ready to play your opponent.

“This weekend we can’t do that but it’s just an extra thing. I’m just really looking forward to getting back to some sort of normality and rhythm because it has been a difficult month.”

United will also be keeping an eye on the weather ahead of Tuesday's game, with a forecast of sub-zero temperatures for Carlisle in the coming days.

The Orient game has already been postponed twice this season because of a frozen pitch and Covid-19.