Keeper Magnus Norman says he’s up for the fight to prove he can be Carlisle United’s long-term No1.

The ex-Fulham man has come into the side for the Blues’ last two games and is hoping to keep his place for tomorrow’s final game of the campaign against Walsall (Brunton Park, 3pm).

Norman has been preferred to regular first-choice Paul Farman for matches against Cheltenham and Leyton Orient.

And the 24-year-old says he has plenty of determination to hold down a regular place as he looks ahead to a second campaign in Cumbria.

“It’s definitely there, it’s what I want to do and it’s why I came to the club,” Norman said.

“Hopefully going off the back of the last few games, and possibly into the last game of the season, if I can take that confidence into pre-season we can see what happens.

“I’m definitely up for the fight of challenging for that number one spot.”

Norman is hoping to make a home league debut tomorrow with his four league outings so far having come away from home.

United are almost certain to end the season in 10th position, but Norman insists the Blues will not be easing up despite there being little riding on the game.

The keeper said: “The gaffer [Chris Beech] has asked us to finish as well as we can and I don’t think it counts just as a team – it’s about personal performances and pride in your job [as well].

“I feel like I have to do well to put it in the mind of the manager for next season, and I think other players have to do that as well.

“I don’t think you’ll find any of us giving it up or not putting as much into it, we’ll be going all the way to the end.”

Norman’s latest appearance came in last weekend’s eventful 3-2 win at Leyton Orient, in which he conceded and then saved a penalty.

The former England youth gloveman believes that, despite the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs this season, there is a good foundation to keep building at Brunton Park.

He said: “With the players we have here now we could easily challenge again next season.

“If we keep the players we’ve got and add a few more I think that will give us confidence going into next season.”

Head coach Beech’s main injury issues ahead of United’s last game of 2020/21 include Offrande Zanzala, who went off with a hamstring injury last weekend.

Rod McDonald, who has trained this week after a dead leg, could return to contention.

Norman, meanwhile, is enjoying a spell in the side after having to bide his time for starts in his first United campaign.

He said: “I’ve had to be patient this year and the gaffer has spoken to me about that repeatedly. I’ve got my chance in the last few games and he’s always said that I needed to make sure I was ready if I was needed.

“With the injury I picked up at the start of the season it sort of killed my momentum. I thought I’d done well in pre-season so that was really frustrating to have that happen.

“I’ve been on the bench at other clubs so I knew what I had to do, and that was to support Farms as much as I could.

“Me and Farms are competitive with each other anyway. The good thing is that we support each other as well. Now that I’ve played a couple of games and done well it means that I’ve been able to make a statement.”

While the future of some of United’s players is yet to be determined, Norman can look forward to another season at Brunton Park having signed a two-year deal last summer.

The Londoner added: “When I was in my last year with Fulham and I had no idea where I was going to go…it just isn’t a nice feeling.

“At the moment I know I’m going into the summer with the security of next season sorted, and that helps with confidence. I’m looking forward to getting going again already, to be honest.

“I love it in Carlisle, I really do. I was chatting to my girlfriend the other day and we both said how it’s just perfect up here and how much we enjoy it. I’ve got a dog as well so we’re always off on long walks, so it’s brilliant up here for a lot of different reasons.”

As well as Farman, Norman has worked with loanee Marcus Dewhurst this season along with two promising youth keepers in Gabriel Breeze and Scott Simons, under the eye of coach Steve Collis.

He added: “It’s been really enjoyable and an excellent group to work with.

“We’re all competitive but we all get on really well as well.”