BLUEBIRDS boss Darren Edmondson is hoping to land a brace of former Carlisle United men as his side prepare for the second pre-season game.

Matt Young and Dave Symington both spent the week with Barrow on their Lake District camp – the only triallists to do so.

Both men have caught Edmondson's eye and he hopes to land them on permanent deals before the start of the Conference season next month.

Young featured at right-back in the 2-1 defeat by Furness Select at Rakesmoor Lane last week and is set to feature at Kendal Town tomorrow (2pm kick-off).

The versatile Symington is still recovering from a dislocated knee-cap picked up with Carlisle last season. As a result, the 21-year-old is some way from match fitness.

Both men are among Edmondson's targets, and the Barrow boss said: “What I always knew about Matt Young is how fit he is, how dedicated he is to football and what a good, young professional he is. He eats, sleeps and breathes football.

“He's a good talent and he needs to be nurtured in the right way to bring the best out of him.

“He played something like 25 league games for Carlisle last season and, with his energy levels and his enthusiasm, he reminds me a lot of Nick Anderton.

“Nick's enthusiasm for football rubbed off on the whole team last year, it was infectious. Matt is a lot like that. “Dave is a bit further off yet with regards to his fitness and we're not pushing him too far.

“He's able to do his fitness, but not contact with a football with regards to the injury he picked up last season.

“We've got him in and we're monitoring him and if we can get a fit Dave Symington in our squad, then that's someone who has played 80 or 90 games for Carlisle and his pedigree is there. He can also play in many positions, which is a bonus.”

Edmondson is hoping he can reach a deal with Young ahead of the season, while several other triallists could feature alongside him and the new recruits at Parkside Road tomorrow.

“We're hoping we can reach a deal with him (Young),” added the AFC chief. “Finances will dictate that.

“We've got one or two other positions to fill as well and we're trying to spread the net as far as we can.

“We're speaking to a few players at the moment and it's a bit early to tell who will feature yet this weekend.”

“Maybe there will be those who played up at Holker – there will be some more phone calls now we are back in the land of phone reception and we will try and look at one or two other possibilities as well.”

Whoever plays, Edmondson is expecting another hard encounter after the defeat to the Furness amateurs last weekend.

Evo-Stik North side Kendal are a team made up of mainly local talent, and that is sure to make them determined to shine against their near-neighbours.

“They have got some good footballers and they are a club who are trying to put a youthful spin on it,” said Edmondson. “They will be very energetic and they will want to win the game.

“From our point-of view, any kind of local derby in pre-season will be competitive and there will be an edge to it because of that. It will be a good test for the players. “Pre-season is just making sure that people match time into their legs, into their bodies. Then, late on into pre-season, you can put some structure in there, but the early pre-season games are generally just about fitness and looking at one or two triallists.

“The main thing is there no injuries, players get as many minutes under their belts as they possibly can and you come through unscathed.”