Published at 09:03, Saturday, 25 July 2009

GREG Abbott today claimed Carlisle United’s rising young stars are victims of their own hype after rejecting calls for young hotshot Andy Cook to be fast-tracked into the first-team.

Five star: Andy Cook scored five times in United’s friendly against Gala Fairydean

Manager Abbott believes other teenage prospects at Brunton Park have been built up too much too soon and has vowed not to make the same mistake with Cook. The 18-year-old blasted five goals in a pre-season friendly win at Gala Fairydean last Monday and added another two yesterday when a United under-19s side beat Celtic’s under-19s 3-0 at Creighton.

“In the past we have been guilty of building up young players and sometimes they think they have already made it to the peak of their potential,” said Abbott, whose side host a strong Middlesbrough team at Brunton Park today.

“We have seen Tom Aldred come back and struggle a bit, because people have hyped him up too much. And Gary Madine was built up so much so early that the result was his form not being at the level people expected last season. Andy Cook is doing what he should be doing. He has got a terrific knack of hitting the back of the net but in relatively comfortable friendlies, I’m sure Scott Dobie or Gary would have done the same.

“A lot of Andy’s game needs to improve and he has still got to conquer reserve team football. I will know when he is ready.”

Abbott is continuing his search for a striker but insists his team are capable of scoring regularly if they repeat the encouraging build-up play seen in the friendly against Hull. “If we perform like we did on Tuesday night and put the ball in those areas, there are three or four goals in this team every game,” he said.

Graham Kavanagh misses out again today as he waits to see a second specialist on his shoulder tendon injury, but Gavin Rothery (foot) could return.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate should include the likes of Jeremie Aliadiere, Julio Arca, Adam Johnson, Robert Huth and David Wheater today, along with new signings Mark Yeates and Danny Coyne.

Former United trialist striker Yan Klukowski, who was released despite scoring twice in the 3-1 friendly win at Workington, has linked up with Swindon.

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