Last updated 16:34, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Carlisle United new boy Josh Gowling reckons pre-season training with his new club is proving to be the toughest of his career.

The 24-year-old became Carlisle's first summer signing when he joined on a free transfer from Bournemouth in June..

And he revealed that United’s players are streets ahead of The Cherries when it comes to fitness.

Gowling said: “This pre-season has been the toughest I've had. The lads here are at another level to what I was used to at Bournemouth. The football is very different.

“The lads here are playing at a much higher tempo and I'm just trying to adjust to that. I've not struggled but it has been hard at times to keep up with the rest of the lads.

Gowling, who will be vying for one of two central defensive positions along Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy next season, admits he is settling into his new home after his free transfer move.

“You move on to a new club and you make a new set of friends,” he said. “There's a really good set of lads here who've made me feel welcome and I can't wait until the start of the new season.”