There’s less than a week left before the start of the EFL season and League Two county rivals Carlisle and Barrow still have business to do.
Latest rumours circulating include the suggestion that Carlisle are competing with Swindon Town for the signature of Woking defender Kyran Lofthouse.
It’s also been revealed that Barrow have taken the former Sunderland defender Cieran Dunne on trial.
Lofthouse, 21, fits the United profile – young, a League background in his early days and most importantly, has potential.
He is a former member of the Oxford United Academy who went on loan to Woking in the National League and then made the permanent switch.
He had featured regularly for Woking last season before an injury ended his campaign in February. He plays mainly as a full-back, however, he proved to be a more than competent option when deployed slightly advanced as a wing-back.
Lofthouse spent the 2020/21season on loan with the Cardinals, playing 36 times during that campaign, before making his move to the club permanent last summer.
He has a year left on his contract so it would require a fee to take him to Brunton Park – while Swindon are also said to be keen.
Meanwhile at Holker Street information has emerged on trialist Dunne, a left back, who progressed through the academy ranks at Falkirk. He joined Sunderland in 2019 but was not offered fresh terms at The Stadium of Light this summer.
Dunne had a trial period with Doncaster Rovers earlier in the summer but the Yorkshire club did not progress with their initial interest.
Predominantly a left-back, Dunne would offer Pete Wild versatility, as the 22-year-old is also able to operate as a midfielder, whilst he was also tasked with playing on the opposite flank during Sunderland’s Premier League 2 campaign last season.
It is generally believed that Dunne may well have been kept on at Sunderland, had remained in League One.
