Former Derby County and Bradford City goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy has the opportunity to impress today in his bid to earn a deal with Carlisle United.

The 21-year-old is set to get his chance to impress in one of today's two Blues friendlies.

Sykes-Kenworthy, the latest trialist to feature for the Cumbrians, is earmarked to play against Workington Reds at Borough Park (kick-off 3pm).

It comes at a time United are actively seeking another keeper to compete with Magnus Norman.

Carlisle's senior goalkeeping ranks saw the departure of Paul Farman to Barrow earlier this summer.

With Norman expected to step up as United's new No1, the Blues want quality competition for the ex-Fulham man.

While there are high hopes for teenage keepers Gabe Breeze and Scott Simons, boss Chris Beech deems the 17-year-olds not yet ready for full first-team involvement.

Huddersfield-born Sykes-Kenworthy will therefore look to catch the eye against today's west Cumbrian hosts.

The keeper is available after leaving Derby at the end of last season.

He had been with the Rams since October 2020, joining the Pride Park club's Under-23s as a free agent following his release from Bradford.

He had come through the ranks at Valley Parade from under-8 level, going on to earn a youth scholarship and then a professional deal.

He played for the Bantams' development side and made two first-team appearances, both in the EFL Trophy in 2019.

Sykes-Kenworthy made loan moves to non-league sides Stalybridge Celtic, Stafford Rangers and Guiseley during his time on Bradford's books.

Norman has yet to feature in pre-season, United citing an injury "niggle" that kept the keeper out of Tuesday's 8-0 friendly win at Penrith, while he has not been named in either squad for todays games at Workington and Hebburn.

Simons will be with the squad at Reds, while Breeze is the only keeper selected to go to Hebburn.

Sykes-Kenworthy's fellow trialist Manasse Mampala, the ex-Everton and QPR forward, will get another opportunity against Workington, having played 45 minutes at Penrith.

Rod McDonald, an injury absentee on Tuesday, is also due to return at Workington with Brennan Dickenson pencilled in for his first pre-season outing at Hebburn.

Keelan Leslie and Norman remain out, while youth players DJ Taylor, Charlie Watt and Josh Barnett have been added to United's ranks for the double-header.

Summer signings Zach Clough and Corey Whelan will be in west Cumbria while Tristan Abrahams will head to the north east.

Beech has said he will oversee things at Borough Park, with No2 Gavin Skelton taking the team at Hebburn's Green Energy Sports Ground.

United are sending two 14-man squads to Workington and Hebburn respectively with players now due to receive more than the 45 minutes' action they had at Penrith.

The Hebburn game has been arranged as part of January's transfer of Cedwyn Scott - now at Gateshead - from FA Vase winners Hebburn to United.

Workington - under caretaker boss Steven Rudd as they interview candiates to replace Falkirk-bound boss Danny Grainger - are expected to include former United man Liam Lightfoot as a trialist, with ex-Blues foward Steven Rigg in line to face his former club.

Both games kick off at 3pm. Workington is all-ticket, the club announcing yesterday they had 200 remaining, and can be bought on matchday from 12pm, with fans advised to get there early to avoid congestion. Hebburn is pay on the gate.

The squads are split as follows:

Workington: Lewis Alessandra, Jack Armer, Taylor Charters, Zach Clough, Morgan Feeney, Callum Guy, Manasse Mampala, Rod McDonald, Joe Riley, Scott Simons, George Sykes-Kenworthy, George Tanner, DJ Taylor, Corey Whelan.

Hebburn: Tristan Abrahams, Josh Barnett, Lewis Bell, Gabriel Breeze, Danny Devine, Brennan Dickenson, Josh Dixon, Jack Ellis, Sam Fishburn, Aaron Hayden, Max Kilsby, Jon Mellish, Gime Toure, Charlie Watt.