Ground: Brunton Park

Capacity:16,651

Last season: 23rd

Manager: Martin Wilkinson

Ins: Peter Keen goalkeeper from Newcastle United, free; defender Matthew Pitts from Sunderland, free; Steve Agnew midfielder from York City on a free?

Outs: Will Varty midfielder to Rotherham, free; Ian Stevens striker to Wrexham, free; Gareth McLindon striker free; David Bass midfielder trial with Scarborough; midfielder Scott Patterson freed.

Chances: The reign of Michael Knighton may well be over, but there appears no end to the Cumbrians' woe. Their dramatic last-day reprieve at the expense of Scarborough does not suggest a full-out revival in the new campaign. A posse of experienced players have fled the Carlisle coop, including final-day saviour Jimmy Glass, whose reward for his injury-time goal has netted a new four-year deal as number one at Swindon. Relegation remains the fear-word at Brunton Park. Much could depend on ex-City ace Steve Agnew moulding the youngsters into shape. It should be quite a test for manager Martin Wilkinson, once Allan Clarke's No2 at Leeds.

One to watch: Stuart Whitehead. Central defender signed from Bolton last season and well capable of figuring at a much higher level.

Title odds: 20-1.