A small crowd is expected at Brunton Park tonight as Carlisle boss Steven Pressley rotates his squad for the Leasing.com Trophy game against Wolves under-21s.

Six of United’s 10 all-time lowest home crowds have come in this competition since the controversial introduction of so-called B Teams from the top two tiers in 2016.

The visit of Wolves (kick-off: 7.45pm) could again see the Blues struggle to top the 1,000 mark.

United’s lowest-ever home crowd is 859 against Hartlepool in the Autoglass Trophy in 1992. Last season’s Trophy game against Stoke under-21s attracted the second smallest with 882.

Manager Pressley said he will “definitely” utilise as many of his fringe players as he can within the rules.

That could see debuts for teenagers Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Charters, with the likes of Jon Mellish, Aaron Hayden, Ryan Loft, Elias Sorensen and Canice Carroll among those also hoping for involvement.

It is United’s first game in northern group G, despite the competition having started for some other clubs as early as August 6.

Pressley said: “It will be a good test for us.

“A lot of our players will be young players as well.

“It will be a good game and a game where we’ll get some game time into our players who’ve been on the fringe, and also give our young players some experience.

“It’s a game we want to win, like them all, but when you’re working with a small squad it’s important I manage the squad properly.

“I’ve asked a lot of certain players this season thus far, and I don’t want to risk certain individuals [tonight].”

Leasing.com are the competition's new sponsors after the end of Checkatrade's three-year deal.