The former Carlisle United men aiming for Wembley play-off glory

Several former Carlisle United players are gearing up for Wembley as they target promotion glory this weekend.

This weekend sees the League One and League Two play-off finals at the National Stadium.

There will be three ex-Blues men in the Bolton Wanderers ranks as they look to get the better of Oxford United on Saturday and return to the second tier.

Kyle Dempsey, Gethin Jones and Jack Iredale are likely to feature in the Trotters’ squad at the national stadium on Saturday.

Maryport midfielder Dempsey will be hoping to force his way back into the starting XI after being a substitute for their two semi-final legs against Barnsley.

The former Carlisle academy product has made 50 appearances and scored four goals for Ian Evatt’s side in the 2023/24 campaign.

One of those came against his former club at Brunton Park when Dempsey struck a late goal in Bolton’s 4-1 win at Carlisle in January.

Joining the 28-year-old at the national stadium will be defender Jones, a likely starter in the final against Des Buckingham’s Oxford.

Gethin Jones, left, is among Bolton's ex-Carlisle contingent (Image: PA)

He has clocked up 48 appearances this season and started both games against Barnsley, when Bolton held on to win 5-4 on aggregate.

And also set to be in the squad is former United left-back Iredale.

He has been a substitute in recent weeks but has totted up 42 appearances for Bolton during the campaign.

The League Two play-off final on Sunday, meanwhile, sees Crawley Town take on Crewe Alexandra.

And former Blues loan man Adam Campbell will be hoping to help fire Crawley into the third tier.

Campbell, who had two spells with United, started both legs of the Red Devils’ impressive victory over MK Dons in the play-off semi-final.

They chalked up a record 8-1 aggregate win to book their place at Wembley. Campbell has scored seven goals in 47 appearances this season.

Defeat for MK Dons means they will face Carlisle in the league next season for the first time since 2019.

Doncaster, who last faced United in the 2022/23 season, will also be back on the Cumbrians' calendar after their semi-final defeat to Crewe.