Ward has ruled out a move for Preston winger Joe Anyinsah

Carlisle United manager John Ward has said he is happy with the make-up of his squad ahead of the new season.

The Cumbrians' boss has made three signings this summer in Ben Williams, Josh Gowling and Michael Bridges.

"I've got a good group of players here," Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria. "Any team I pick will be a good one, that's not a major problem for me.

"The difficulty I have is trying to find players to fit into this group and be better than what we've already got."

Ward saw striker Joe Garner leave the club for Nottingham Forest in a �1.14m deal last week while another striker, Kevin Gall, has joined Lincoln City on a five-month loan.

Striker Bridges has re-joined the Cumbrians on a season-long loan from Premier League Hull City.

We like Joe, we think of him very highly but so do his club Preston as well Carlisle manager John Ward

"We have now got a squad of 20 or 21 players here that can play first team football that maybe wasn't there last season," Ward said.

"People like Luke Joyce and Darren Campion are maturing as people and as players and are coming to grips with their football with this team. Hopefully that can continue."

Ward has also indicated that a move for former loanee winger Joe Anyinsah is unlikely at the moment.

"We like Joe, we think of him very highly but so do his club Preston as well," he said.

"Preston are pretty happy with the way he's come back to pre-season training and that maybe answers 'no' at the moment.

"But nothing is fixed, nothing is set," he added.

Meanwhile, Carlisle have arranged a final friendly at county neighbours Workington Reds on Monday, 4 August.