Defender Mark Ellis has returned to pre-season training with the bit between his teeth as he looks to carry on from where he left off with last season’s ultimately successful half-season loan spell with Forest Green Rovers.
Speaking after the Penrith friendly at Frenchfield Park, he said: “It’s all about getting game time so that you can get yourself up to match fitness. This was another good run-out for us and that’s what’s important. I enjoyed myself out there and it’s good to be playing again.
“I was up against a big striker and I like that kind of battle. When the ball’s up in the air it’s my kind of game. I love competing and, fair play to him, he put himself about. It was a good game for everyone and that’s what’s important.”
With the pre-season schedule gathering pace, he added: “We’re in the middle of three quick games in succession and all you can do is prepare properly.
“We’ll be straight back in tomorrow morning [Wednesday] to get ready for the Workington game and I’m sure we’ll be ready to go again.”
The aim for all of the players, of course, is to make the starting eleven for the first game of the season, and with the gaffer openly stating that the slate is clean for everybody he admitted that he’s more than up for the challenge.
“Coming off the back of what happened at the end of last season with Forest Green, that was a real achievement for me, and I actually feel like a new signing here at the moment,” he told us. “I’m back and I really want to play and do a job here.
“I want to help to get this club promoted this season. I’ve won something with every club I’ve been at and hopefully I’ll be doing the same this year with Carlisle United.
“The reason I went away was last season was that it was all about me getting games. I’ve got my confidence back and hopefully I can show more of what I’m about up here this season.”
“Pre-season has been tough so far but I don’t think it will ever be easy,” he continued. “We’ve got Cassius Camps coming up next week and some of the new lads are dreading that because we’ve been bringing them up to date on what it’s all about with a few of our stories.
“To be fair, the staff down there make it as enjoyable as they can and we’re looking forward to it. Everything we do helps us as we all play for the places available in the starting eleven. To be involved we know you have to do it right in training and perform in these friendlies, so that’s where our focus is.”
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