Chris Beech was encouraged by the way Morgan Feeney came through his Carlisle United debut.

The defender finally made his Blues bow last night some seven months after joining.

Ex-Sunderland and Everton man Feeney performed well in defence against Sheffield United’s Championship frontmen.

Beech hopes it is a positive step forward for the 22-year-old, whose first half-season in Cumbria was ruined by injury.

“He’s had a great pre-season if you look at the kilometres he’s covered,” Beech said.

“He played a lot of games. No worries, he’s played and he’s got through that [last night].

“He’s played great. He gave one ball away or a harsh pass to Callum [Guy], but other than that, he’s managing the back three, at the time in the first half, and then we went to a four, and I thought he did really well.”

Feeney’s emergence comes at a time United’s central defensive ranks are depleted following the departure of Aaron Hayden, and the summer loss of Rhys Bennett.

Corey Whelan, though, enjoyed a good debut against Colchester on Saturday with Rod McDonald also putting in a solid display.

The trio’s efforts come at a time United could return to the market to replace Hayden.

Beech believes all three have something positive to offer.

“They’re good players,” he said.

“Rod’s lost weight, looks fitter.

“He’s not daft. He’s in his last year of his contract, and he knows he needs a good season whether he stays here or goes somewhere else.

“As a player he needs content and facts to put down over a solid season.

“Corey is just a really good professional person on and off the pitch, and makes us better both on and off the pitch.

“And Morgan…he was Everton, England [youth] captain, and at Sunderland. He’s had a real bad time [since then], so I’m really pleased he’s played and played well, and it will be great over the season that we see more Morgan, and he’ll definitely serve us well.”