Last updated at 12:06, Thursday, 28 June 2012

Manager Greg Abbott today challenged his four rookie pros to push themselves to the front of the queue for a first-team place at Carlisle United.

Mark Beck

Abbott says the teenage quartet will be given every chance to prove they can make the grade when pre-season training starts in a week's time.

He has high hopes that Brad Potts, Josh Todd, Mark Beck and Dave Symington can become genuine options in the new season.

Striker Beck had a brief taste of first-team action last term and Abbott wants all four youth team graduates to impress from the moment his squad returns from the summer break.

“It's up to these young players now to get themselves from playing at Creighton in front of 42 men and a dog to playing in front of thousands of people,” Abbott said.

“Their hard work starts now and we think they are decent.

“We've seen a lot with Potts and Todd to suggest they can be pushing sooner rather than later.

“Beck's already had a feel of it and while Symington knows he has a bit to do, we have told him to come back and make an impression in the first week.

“That goes for them all – be ahead of everybody else in all the running and get that respect instantly from the senior staff.”

Abbott, who is back at his desk at Brunton Park today after a family holiday, remains open-minded to the possibility of loaning out some of his rookies in order to get them first-team experience.

Second-choice goalkeeper Mark Gillespie could also be in the frame for a loan move if he fails to unseat Adam Collin during the pre-season friendly programme.

On the four new professionals, the manager added: “Let's hope we can find a local one who comes through the ranks from start to finish. That's important for this club.”

Abbott expects to tie up the new contracts offered to James Berrett, Peter Murphy and Frank Simek before his players return for pre-season.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 28 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk