Carlisle United coach Paul Murray says the Blues’ top young prospect Liam McCarron must be ready to deal with some rough treatment from opponents.

Murray says the flying teenage winger will become a marked man by teams who want to stop him in their tracks.

And the first-team coach says the 17-year-old, who has forced his way into John Sheridan’s first-team squad this season, will need to be clever enough to deal with closer defensive attention.

Murray’s views came after McCarron helped a young United side to a 3-2 Cumberland Cup victory against Workington Reds.

That came two days after the Appleby youngster impressed as a substitute for Sheridan’s League Two team in Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Morecambe. Murray said: “He [McCarron] has to know now that he’s gonna get smacked - some [challenges] will be late and some will be on purpose, and he’s going to have to be careful with himself.

“When that’s happening, and he’s surrounded by two or three, he’s got to pop it off, and use his running power.

“We’ve all seen what he’s capable of. I thought what was fantastically refreshing [against Morecambe] was a young lad coming on and going at the full-back, like old-school wingers used to, but then crossing with his wrong foot – to have that willingness to do that.

“That was really good. Good luck to him.”

McCarron, recently handed a professional deal by United, has made five sub appearances and one start for the Cumbrians this season.

The Blues moved quickly to secure him on senior terms with clubs from higher divisions having been monitoring the winger.

Sheridan admitted the teenager was a rare bright spot in the Morecambe defeat and he is again likely to be in the squad to face Macclesfield this weekend.

Murray said Carlisle’s other young players can use McCarron as an example.

“The gaffer has done it at Oldham [and other clubs] where he’s played young players,” the coach said. “McCarron’s the one at the top of the mountain at the minute, so hopefully a few of the others can climb up there and get up there with him.”

Sheridan decided against fielding senior players in the Workington game, with keeper Louis Gray and young pros Jack Egan, Max Brown and Sam Adewusi joining a host of youth teamers in Carlisle’s XI.

Murray said he was encouraged by what he saw. He said: “I thought the kids were brilliant. I gave them a few instructions and they carried it out perfectly.

“Exactly what I asked, they gave me. I only had them before the game, asking what I wanted on the tactics board, and they delivered, so it shows they can take on board information.

“There were some great balls into the box by Birchy [Charlie Birch] and Liam showed us what he’s all about. Sometimes he has got to lay it off but he’s in a good vein of form so I don’t really mind that.

“To a man they did really well. It was a good performance throughout. They have to show us what they’re made of and take these opportunities when the gaffer and the coaches are here to watch.”

Egan, Brown and Adewusi got United’s goals in the county cup tie.

Murray added: “I said to them it’s a cup game and we want to win. We want to win whilst playing well but at the end of the day we want to get through to the next round.

“They have to understand that – get that winning mentality. They showed some character in coming from behind.

“We created some fantastic opportunities, with the boys having a bit of belief about them.”

Murray also said it was important United’s young side stood up to the physical side of the game.

“I had a word with the ref about a few challenges and he said, ‘Hey, this is Northern League’, and he’s right to a point.

“The lads have to get used to that. We coped with it well and there wasn’t much moaning. I said prior to the game, ‘Do not show anyone you’re hurt’. The centre-half got smashed, but got up and hobbled along.

“Don’t show an opponent you’re hurt, and get on with it. They got on with that really well.”