Carlisle United are hoping to be able to give the club's new home kit for the 2009-10 season its eagerly-awaited debut in The Blues' final League One fixture of this campaign.

The redesigned shirt, in traditional blue with white and red flashes, is expected to be worn with new-look white shorts for the first time by United's players against Millwall at Brunton Park on Saturday May 2.

The club's kit manufacturers Le Coq Sportif have indicated that the shirt, which sports a fashionable white collar and the Stobart sponsors' logo, should be available to go on sale to fans later that month and throughout the summer in the build-up for the new season.

The new home strip will replace the current blue "toothpaste swirl" shirt and blue shorts, which United have worn for two seasons.

United's managing director John Nixon said: "The feedback has been very positive from fans since we first revealed the new shirt in the club members' newsletter earlier this month. The home shirt we have worn this season and last season has been extremely popular and we think this one will prove another big success."

Like most Premier League and Football League clubs' kits, United's new strip is being manufactured in the Far East and then imported into the UK.

As also revealed in the members' newsletter, United are introducing a new red away strip later next season but this will not be launched until pre-Christmas. The predominently red shirts, shorts and socks, with blue and white trim, will replace the popular black away kit which United have worn this season.

Mr Nixon explained that the club had no option but to switch to a new away kit next season after Le Coq Sportif's supplier had encountered difficulties over the availability of the black material with coloured flashes which has also proved so popular with lots of other clubs in the UK.

He added: "The supply situation has left several clubs, including Hibs, in a position where they have had problems with their black change kit.

"We had already been involved in negotiations with some big name kit manufacturers over the possibility of switching away from Le Coq Sportif next season. However, despite this involving a potentially very lucrative new contract for the club, we decided to stay with Le Coq Sportif because we have a good working relationship with them and because some of the other leading suppliers were insisting on us launching three new kits for the start of next season as part of their new deal.

"That is not something we wanted to impose on our fans, especially in the current economic climate, even though many other clubs, including a lot in the Premiership, now change their home shirts every season.

"We are continuing to keep our blue home shirts for two seasons, which means the current one's lifespan is up and is now due to be replaced."

Meanwhile, Carlisle are planning to wear their third kit - all white with green and red trim in the racing colours of club sponsor Eddie Stobart - in the League One fixture at leaders Leicester City on Saturday April 4.

The first time the Blues are due to play in the new home strip will be against Millwall on Saturday May 2, when Jimmy Glass will return to Brunton Park as the club's special guest of honour to mark the 10th anniversary of the goalkeeper's legendary last-gasp winning goal against Plymouth which kept United in the Football League.