MAX Crocombe has started a week on trial at Carlisle United as the goalkeeper edges towards the exit door at Oxford United.

The 22-year-old has a year left on his contract but was told earlier this summer he was not in head coach Michael Appleton’s plans for next season.

While fellow out-of-favour stopper Sam Slocombe agreed a settlement before joining Blackpool last month, it has taken longer for Crocombe to find alternative arrangements.

The New Zealand international has continued to train with United, but an opportunity has arisen at Carlisle, who need competition for Mark Gillespie.

Crocombe came off the bench to play 19 minutes in the Cumbrians’ 2-0 defeat at Bradford City yesterday.

Appleton said: “He’s going to train with Carlisle for a week with a view to hopefully something happening at the end of the week.”

Crocombe came through the youth set-up at United, but the last of his six appearances came in August 2014.

Since then he has had a succession of loan spells at Nuneaton, Barnet and Southport.