Carlisle United midfielder Brennan Dickenson has pledged to "come back fighting" for pre-season as he bids to recover from an injury-hit campaign.

Dickenson has been frustrated by spells on the sideline which largely wrecked his season – but said he is now ready to kick on and get back to battling for a place in the team.

Speaking to United's website, he said: “It’s been a frustrating period for me, but it’s football and you have to get on with it.

“Obviously with the season done, I’m in working when the other lads are off, but it’s about being ready for next season as far as I’m concerned so it’s just how it is.

“I haven’t really had time to get home or relax because I’ve been in with Ross [Goodwin] and Greg [Short] but it’s part and parcel of being injured.

"There’s work to be done, but I will get some time off to relax then I’ll come back fighting for pre-season.

“I know it’s what I need to do to make sure I’m ready for pre-season.

"I got my head around it very quickly and it is what it is.

“I’ve obviously had two major injuries this year that have kept me out for most of the season, which has been frustrating,” he said.

“I can’t look back now, I’ve just got to focus on pre-season and on fighting for my place in the team next year."

Dickenson said he had also gained some comfort from reflecting on the injuries he suffered and accepting that they had been almost unavoidable.

“The injuries happened, I wish they hadn’t, but we analysed both of them and we got to the point where we knew, especially with the Stevenage one, that there isn’t a lot anyone could have done about it," he said.

"Unfortunately it’s just one of those seasons where it’s been complete bad luck.

“The only way to prevent the Stevenage one is if I stop fighting for the ball, and I’m pretty sure the staff and the fans don’t want that.

"That’s just not who I am as a player.

"I’ll fight for everything in every game if I feel there’s something to gain by doing it.

“It’s just unfortunate that when we were tussling in the corner the lad landed on top of my knee.

"If I hadn’t planted my left leg and just fallen over it probably wouldn’t have happened.

"It’s down to those tiny details and small margins, but it happened and there’s nothing I can do about it now."