David Holdsworth has confirmed that Carlisle United will bring in another senior goalkeeper to replace Paul Farman.

The Blues have faith in Magnus Norman to step up next season.

United also have high hopes for two highly promising youth keepers in Gabriel Breeze and Scott Simons.

But director of football Holdsworth said it would be too early to promote the talented teenagers to the regular first-team set-up for the 2021/22 season.

The Blues will instead seek more established competition for 24-year-old Norman, who made six first-team appearances last term with Barrow-bound Farman the regular No1.

“We will bring in another goalkeeper,” Holdsworth said.

“Chris [Beech, head coach] has to decide on how he balances that – whether it’s an older goalkeeper or another younger goalkeeper that will push Magnus.

“Paul was a very good influence and we’re looking for that type of character.

“Magnus is 24, and we’ve got great faith in what Chris feels he can do with Magnus.

“We hope he will thrive in this situation. But he must be challenged for his spot and we’re looking at various options.

“Chris will make that decision and we’ll support him.”

Norman was handed four league starts in the closing months of the season, the ex-Fulham man featuring against Mansfield, Stevenage, Cheltenham and Leyton Orient.

The experienced Farman, who made 45 appearances in 2020/21, has since turned down the chance to stay with United in favour of joining Barrow, where he could prove a replacement for Joel Dixon, who has been strongly linked with Bolton.

United, meanwhile, believe strongly in the potential of Breeze and Simons.

The 17-year-old pair will feature in Carlisle’s Under-18s next season, with Breeze having played for United’s reserves recently, including an impressive performance in the Central League Cup final against Bournemouth at St George’s Park.

News and Star: Gabriel Breeze (photo: Richard Parkes)Gabriel Breeze (photo: Richard Parkes)

Breeze was also promoted to the first-team bench at Mansfield when Farman was injured.

Holdsworth believes both young players have the potential to become goalkeeping stars.

“I feel we’ve got potentially two of the best young goalkeepers in the UK,” he said. “But they’re not ready [for the first-team] yet. Maybe in a year’s time or two years’ time.

“Right now, they’ve grown really well, and nature’s been kind to them – they’ve both shot up like big oak trees, and they’ve got the potential to play in the Premier League without a doubt.

“They need continuous coaching, and more growth will come.”

United have so far made just one summer signing - Monday’s capture of ex-Newport, Norwich and Leyton Orient striker Tristan Abrahams.

He will join up with his new team-mates when Carlisle return for pre-season training towards the end of next week.