Gavin Skelton says Carlisle United are likely to take a longer look at Callum Harris after the trialist’s goalscoring display for the reserves.

Harris netted in the Blues’ 4-1 friendly win at Kendal last night.

The 24-year-old, recently with Spanish side Real Burgos, is hoping to impress boss Chris Beech.

Assistant head coach Skelton said of the former Man City, Blackburn and Wolves academy prospect: “He showed good ability and technique, and it’s one we’ll look at closely.

“We’ve got potentially another game next week or the week after – and [we’ll also assess him] in training.

“On a difficult pitch and a difficult night he acquitted himself and showed he had good technique and ability.”

Harris has been with United since last week.

Skelton, meanwhile, praised Jon Mellish who grabbed a hat-trick against Carlisle’s non-league hosts.

The ex-Gateshead defender played in midfield in the game at Parkside Road.

On the change of position for 22-year-old Mellish, Skelton said: “We’d spoken about it, the manager spoke about it as well.

“I’ve had it before and the manager’s had it before where you look at people, and someone with different eyes might not put him in there, and someone else might play him there.

“It was a test for him, but his attitude was brilliant. He was quite pleased about playing in there, and he did ok.

“He got about the park, was competitive and got his three goals from getting into attacking areas.”

United used the game to give outings to other senior pros such as Louis Gray, Mo Sagaf, Max Hunt and Nathaniel Knight-Percival.

A number of Carlisle’s youth players were involved, including the quartet – Charlie Birch, Charlie Barnes, Liam Lightfoot and Tom Wilson – who were offered professional deals last week.

United also fielded 17-year-old Jimiel Chikukwa, who has been with the Blues' under-18 side on work experience as academy boss Eric Kinder runs the rule over a possible longer stay for the Leeds forward.

Skelton said: “It was a good workout all round. The pros conducted themselves really well and the young lads fed off that and acquitted themselves well.

“To get the game on and make us as welcome as they have, is credit to Kendal.

“At 1-1 they had a couple of chances and looked as if they were going to go and win the game. We’ve spoken about that - we should have been two or three up and you have to make the most of those opportunities. Thankfully in the end we came out with a comfortable victory.”

Sheffield United loan keeper Marcus Dewhurst also made his second appearance for the reserves, replacing Gray at half-time.

Skelton said: “Once again he’s come on on a cold night in the second half, and it can be difficult for a goalie, but he looked sharp and his kicking was good.”

Knight-Percival, who had treatment for an injury in the first half, came off at the break, but Skelton said that was always the intention for the experienced defender, who has been battling a virus.