Carlisle United’s remaining trialists and first-team hopefuls face a big audition tonight at Brunton Park’s first friendly for two years.
The Cumbrians take on Salford City (kick-off 7.30pm) in their penultimate pre-season game.
It looks likely to offer trialists Kyle Hudlin and Jack Young a further chance to impress head coach Rob Elliot.
And senior players battling for a place in Elliot’s opening-day XI in 11 days time will also be looking to seize their opportunity.
6ft 9in striker Hudlin could get another chance tonight, having made a second-half cameo in last Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Darlington.
The former Huddersfield Town man has linked up with Carlisle after a spell in Vietnam, and his claims for a deal are being considered by Elliot.
After the Darlington game, Elliot said United’s trialists were likely to stay with the club for another week or so, and the cancellation of last Friday’s game at Fleetwood Town puts more focus on tonight’s game.
Former Worthing midfielder Young also made a substitute appearance at Darlington as he attempts to catch the eye.
The game against League Two opposition this evening could see a first outing for new defensive signing Toby Mullarkey, whose half-season loan move from Fleetwood Town was confirmed last night.
The friendly should also see Leo Duru make his first outing as a fully fledged Carlisle player, having joined on a permanent deal on Saturday after impressing on trial.
Beyond that, the main questions will concern which players will be fit for action, with United having been without a number of first-team players to injury in recent weeks.
Goalkeeper Gabe Breeze has been assessed after suffering a gash to his left leg at Darlington, something Elliot said would require stitches.
Players who missed out on action at Darlington included the likes of Kenton Richardson, Stephen Wearne, Brad Nicholson, Hayden Atkinson, Junior Luamba and Harvey Macadam, with Luamba and Wearne among those pictured on the training ground by the Blues yesterday.
Those looking certain to miss out again include Morgan Feeney, Luke Armstrong, Bevis Mugabi and Elliot Embleton, whose injuries look set to keep them out of the start of the National League campaign.
Summer signings including Miguel Azeez and Harvey Bunker will get their first taste of Brunton Park action as Carlisle players.
The Blues take on a Salford side under the new management of Peter Cklamovski, who replaced Karl Robinson in the summer.
The Ammies, who lost in last season’s League Two play-off final, claimed a 3-2 win over Dundee United in their latest friendly on Saturday, with big summer signing Macaulay Langstaff on the scoresheet along with Ale Oluwo and Josh Austerfield.
The visitors’ other summer additions include ex-Peterborough United man Abraham Odoh, former Wigan Athletic defender Will Aimson, former Rotherham United midfielder Joe Powell and ex-Wycombe Wanderers keeper Will Norris, while they are also making a move for Doncaster Rovers star Luke Molyneux.
It will be Salford’s first visit to Brunton Park since the final day of the 2024/25 League Two season, when a 2-2 draw cost the Ammies a place in the play-offs as Carlisle played their last game before dropping into the National League.
The previous friendly to be played at Brunton Park, meanwhile, was in the summer of 2024 when Paul Simpson’s Blues defeated Stockport County 2-1.
United are closing the Warwick Road End and Andrew Jenkins Stand for tonight's game. The Paddock is open for terracing for home fans, with seating available in the B, C, D and E Stands. Away fans will be in the Waterworks End.
Adults (18+) can watch the game for £10, with prices for under-18s at £5 and under-7s free. Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.
After the Salford game, Carlisle's remaining friendly is a trip to take on Derby County's Under-21s on Saturday - a week before the Blues' 2026/27 National League opener at home to Worthing.
FLASH SALE: Our biggest subscription offers for Carlisle United fans are now live! Get unlimited access to every article for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click HERE
