Nathan Thomas will “definitely” be of interest to Carlisle United if he is made available to leave Sheffield United this summer, boss Steven Pressley says.

The forward helped keep the Blues’ play-off hopes alive with a quickfire two-goal blast in the 4-2 win against Crawley.

Pressley says he is unsure what Thomas’ situation will be at Bramall Lane at the end of the campaign, the Blades having been promoted to the Premier League over the weekend.

But while the United manager feels the ex-Hartlepool man can improve his fitness, his ability would make him an attractive signing.

“Nathan’s got a contract that lasts another year with Sheffield, and I’m sure he’ll have discussions with them in the summer about his future and where it lies,” Pressley said.

“I think he’s enjoyed his time here. I think I’ve got a good relationship with him. He’s a likeable boy and I think he’s a player that will definitely be of interest to us, there’s no doubt about it.

“Geographically we also suit Nathan – he’s a northern lad – and I think he’s enjoyed his time here.”

Thomas has scored four goals in 15 appearances since his January loan move and the 24-year-old found the net in the seventh and ninth minutes against the Sussex visitors.

Pressley said his display in the opening stages showed clear signs of his talent – but he feels there is still more to come.

“We targeted that particular area of the pitch, and Nathan is such a talent when he’s at it,” Pressley said. “In that part of the game his performance was out of this world.

“But he has to improve those aspects of his game – those levels of fitness. I want Nathan Thomas to be producing that level of performance not for 40 minutes but for 90 minutes.

“I think he’s acquitted himself well. But he’s got a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to be, in my opinion, a player that really fulfils his potential.”

Pressley said he is working on a number of potential targets for next season even as Carlisle’s hopes of reaching League One remain alive.

“I’m in touch with a lot of agents, David [Holdsworth, director of football] continues to be in touch with agents,” he said.

“We are trying to put together a framework of a team we are considering, so we’ve got definite targets. There’s no doubt about that.

“It’s difficult sometimes to secure those. Some of the targets want to leave themselves open a bit and see what the rest of the window brings.

“[But] we’re going to try and bring in the players we can sooner rather than later.”