Reggie Lambe said he is happy to become the “flexible friend” of Keith Curle, the Carlisle United manager, in order to establish himself as a first-team starter for the Sky Bet League Two side.

The Bermuda captain has been in eye-catching form during pre-season scoring a stunning goal from 35 yards in last week’s 4-0 win in a pre-season friendly away to non-League Warrington Town.

Curle has used Lambe as both a winger and striker during pre-season while he experiments with different formations.

“It’s all about experimenting, seeing who can play where,” Lambe told the News & Star.

“I think he [Curle] knows where he wants to play me, but he wants to see me in different roles in case push comes to shove and we have to change formations at any stage.

“That’s his reason behind it. I feel comfortable [up front] but wherever he wants to put me in the squad I think I can do a job for him and I’m willing to do a job.”

Lambe and his team-mates return to training today to step up their preparations for the new campaign after a four-day break last week.

Their next game is at non-League Barrow next weekend, followed by trips to League One teams Bury and Bradford City.

Lambe said the club’s new signings were still gelling together but feels confident they will be ready for their opening game of the season away to Portsmouth on August 6.

“I think it’s been good for us to get minutes together,” said Lambe, who joined Carlisle from League Two rivals Mansfield Town last month.

“Since it’s a fairly new group, everyone has to get together and get that understanding, so that once we go down to Portsmouth for the first game of the season, we can really shine and show our stuff.

“These [friendly] games are really important for us, and getting to know everyone and how they play.

“I’m finding it good so far. I think we’ve been playing well together, so it’s coming together quickly. Just a few final touches and I think we’ll be flying this season.

“I think we have a strong-minded group of players that want to work hard, so once we do get that fitness, everyone will get that work-rate and everything up.”

The former Ipswich Town and Toronto FC player made 73 appearances and scored ten goals for Mansfield Town during his two seasons at the club.

Rai Simons, the Bermuda striker, played the second half of Chesterfield’s 2-0 defeat at home to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Gboly Aryibi and Fernando Forestieri scored Wednesday’s goal before half-time.

• The Bermuda Under-17 side travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines today for their Caribbean Under-20 Championships.

The competition is the first phase of qualifying for the next Under-17 World Cup to be held in India next year.

Bermuda, who are coached by Dennis Brown, have been drawn in group three with Grenada, St Lucia and the hosts nation.

Brown’s 20-man squad includes several players who are based overseas in England and Spain.

They take on St Lucia on Wednesday at 5pm Bermuda time and St Vincent and the Grenadines at 7.30pm on Friday. In their final match they face Grenada at 5pm on Sunday. All matches will be played at the Victoria Park Stadium in Kingstown.

The six group winners and the best runners-up will advance to the CFU final round to be held from September 16 to 25 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Squad: A McDowall, L Matthews, B Hall, L Smith, B Jones, M Isaac, C Booth, R Jones, D Richardson, R Jones, E Moore, S Burgess, J Iris, S Burrows, J Paynter, T Williams, K Crichlow, T Bean, K Bean, Z Burgess