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Carlisle United were relegated from the Football League last season after finishing 23rd in League Two, seven points from safety. That marked their second straight relegation after they finished bottom
of League One in 2024.
They have had a strong start in their quest to return to the fourth tier, currently sitting third in the National League after 10 wins, three draws and three losses so far this season. They are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in the league, with their last match ending in a 1-1 draw away to Yeovil Town.
They qualified for the first round of the cup by beating Boston United 5-2.
The two sides last faced each other in the 2023/24 season with Reading claiming the double over United, winning 5-1 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium before earning a 1-3 victory at Brunton Park.
The boss
Mark Hughes: Veteran manager Hughes was appointed Carlisle head coach in February this year, following the sacking of Mike Williamson.
The Welshman’s playing career spanned two decades, playing for the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, while also picking up 72 caps for Wales. His first managerial role came in 1999, when Hughes was named head coach of the Wales national side, a role he held for five years.
His first club role saw him take charge of Blackburn Rovers in 2004, where he spent almost four years, guiding Rovers to as high as sixth in the Premier League. Hughes went on to join Manchester City in 2008, before having spells at Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Southampton.
After around three years out of the game, having been sacked by Southampton in 2018, Hughes returned to management at League Two Bradford City in 2022, marking the first time he had managed a club outside the Premier League.
He lasted 18 months with the Bantams and went on to join Carlisle this February. Unfortunately, Sparky was unable to save United from relegation from the Football League last season, but he will be hoping to secure a return to League Two this season.
Hughes’ sides are typically known to play a physical, direct style of football.
Squad
Carlisle brought in nine players over the summer with seven signing permanently and two joining on loan.
United paid undisclosed fees for forwards Regan Linney and Junior Luamba, who signed from Altrincham and Salford City. They also utilised the free market, signing defenders Morgan Feeney, Sam Murray and Bevis Mugabi, midfielder Harvey Macadam and forward David Ajiboye.
Their two loan signings are midfielder Alex Gilliead, who signed from Shrewsbury Town, and forward Chris Conn-Clarke, who joined from Peterborough United.
Predicted lineup
Lewis, Davies, Feeney, Hayden, Harper, Williams, Grant, Gilliead, Ajiboye, Conn-Clarke, Linney
Key player
10. Regan Linney: Striker Linney joined Carlisle this summer, signing for an undisclosed fee from non-league Altrincham.
He started his career at Bamber Bridge where he made his debut, before going on to join FC United of Manchester in 2019. After almost four years in Manchester, Linney joined Altrincham, where he scored 43 goals over the course of two and a bit seasons. He scored 23 of those goals last season and was named in the National League team of the season.
The 28-year-old has made 16 appearances for Carlisle since joining in the summer and has 11 goals to his name, putting him joint top of the National League goalscoring charts. Linney is a high-energy striker who is a prolific goalscorer in non-league.
