Carlisle United have today brought in experienced goalkeeper Mark Howard.

The 35-year-old former Blackpool and Bolton man has signed a short-term deal at Brunton Park.

Howard, a free agent, has joined until the turn of the year.

It sees United move to bolster their goalkeeper ranks following a recent injury to Magnus Norman.

Former Sheffield United keeper Howard, who left Scunthorpe at the end of last season, will now compete with Lukas Jensen to be Carlisle's No1.

Howard, who started at Arsenal and has also had spells with Cardiff, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Salford, is expected to be in the squad for Saturday's home clash with Tranmere.

It will be the Blues' first game since the sacking of Chris Beech.

Caretaker boss Gavin Skelton said of the new signing on the club website: “We're really pleased that we've managed to get Mark in with us.

"He's an experienced player who knows the game, and he knows what League Two is all about.

"We felt it was important to get somebody like that in because he isn't just here for the sake of it, he'll provide real competition for that starting jersey.

"He's shown through his first training session with us that he likes to organise and talk to his defenders, and he's slotted in seamlessly already.

"We're all looking forward to working with him."