Rob McCartney has handed Carlisle City a boost ahead of their first friendly of their pre-season campaign.

McCartney had been on trial at Workington Reds after scoring 39 goals for the Sky Blues last season.

But the frontman is now set to stay at City for their 2019/20 Northern League Division Two season after the club yesterday announced he had agreed to pen a one-year deal, before their opening friendly, which is a charity match.

This afternoon’s game (2pm kick-off), organised in memory of former player Geoff Bell, will see the Sky Blues face a “Geoff Bell Memorial XI”, made up of players former City left-back Geoff coached as youngsters.

"They will be a decent side," said boss Jim Nichols.

"I think Max Brown, who was at Carlisle and Penrith last season, will probably be playing for them. They’ve got Liam Studholme playing who was at Gretna 2008 last season and Brady Wiser who played a couple of games for us last year.

"So, they have got a number of players who are decent.

"I think it will be a closer game than many suspect because they are not just dragging lads off the street. They are a team who grew up together and they are getting back together again.

"I would expect us to win, but I would say it will be a good run-out for us first up."

There is no charge for admission for the clash at the D Marks Carpets Stadium, Gillford Park, but there will be a donation box with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK. Geoff died in February after a 15-year battle with the disease.

City, meanwhile, have signed ex-Carlisle United and Workington Reds centre-back Dan Kirkup and Ryan Potts, the brother of ex-Carlisle star Brad.

But Darren Addison and David Renyard have both left for Gretna 2008.