Jason Kennedy believes Carlisle United’s new-look dressing room is packed with leaders.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Kennedy is one of nine new faces at Brunton Park this summer.

And even at just 28, he is the third most senior of those new arrivals, with only forward Jabo Ibehre and fellow midfielder Luke Joyce older than him.

Kennedy reckons that the mix of strong, battle-hardened personalities in the Blues camp bodes well as they ready themselves for their next test of pre-season, at his former club Bradford City on Saturday. 

“We’ve got some experienced lads there and there’s a lot of captains, a lot of leaders in different ways in the dressing room this year,” he said.

“If it’s by example or like a talker or something like that I think we’ve got a bit of everything within the dressing room for when we’ll need it throughout the season.

“There’s six or seven experienced lads and I’m sure other lads will grow into having their say as well.”

Kennedy’s own influence was marked once he had arrived on loan from the Bantams towards the end of last season.

He played a key part in helping Keith Curle’s men avoid relegation and penned a permanent deal at Brunton Park earlier this summer.

With youngsters like Patrick Brough, Courtney Meppen-Walter and Connor Hammell having all featured heavily during pre-season so far and likely to play significant roles in the upcoming League Two campaign, the Roseworth-born enforcer hopes his experience can have a positive impact on the more youthful members of Curle’s squad as United bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s relegation battle.

“Throughout my career I’ve always liked to think of myself as professional in everything I do, so it’s always nice to have people looking up to you and setting the example,” he said.

“It’s something that I really enjoy. I just do it quietly, go about my business day-to-day and I think the lads notice that and they pick up on it, so it’s good.

“I think the young lads here have got their heads screwed on and everything, so it’s maybe just a bit of guidance every now and again, but I think they are quite mature for their ages.

“If needed to be, I’d say something, but I’m not a screamer or a shouter – I’d just say, have a quiet word or say what’s needed at the time.”