Chris Beech says it was Jon Mellish’s determination to get back in the Carlisle United team that was rewarded with his surprise recall in midfield.

The Blues head coach found a new position for the ex-Gateshead centre-half in last Saturday’s draw at Crawley.

It marked a return to first-team action after a month out of favour for Mellish.

And Beech said the 22-year-old had earned his fresh opportunity because of his attitude on the training ground when out of the side and the squad.

Beech said: “The press ask a lot of questions about players not involved in the squad. Jon’s been one of those players.

“When he’s been left back at home, he’s been doing his extra sessions on the Saturday, doing his work, doing the things I’m asking of the players to become more professional and consistent.

“That goes for the squad supporting the subs, subs supporting the starting XI, the XI doing a good job.

“That’s the kind of energy I’m after, and he deserved his chance.”

Mellish had been tested in midfield in a reserve friendly at Kendal last week and responded by scoring a hat-trick.

Beech admitted that his efforts in the second-string game had caught his eye and encouraged him to repeat the experiment in first-team action.

Mellish came closest to scoring for United in their goalless draw in Sussex, having a second-half effort cleared off the line and missing other chances.

Beech will now consider another outing for Mellish in the position in this Saturday’s home clash with Morecambe.

On his role at Crawley, Beech said: “I didn’t want to put a restraint on him.

“Elliot Watt is the thinking football player [in that midfield], and I wanted to make sure Jon did exactly what he did.

“He’s a willing runner and that was important that happened [on Saturday] for him.

“He did great, and was probably one of our stronger players.”

Mellish’s outing in the middle of the park saw him preferred to other more recognised midfielders in the Blues squad, such as Mo Sagaf and Jack Bridge.

Sagaf again missed out on a place in the squad, while Bridge was on the bench along with fit-again Stefan Scougall.

Mellish joined Wolves loanee Watt and Mike Jones in the engine room.

Beech said it is not the first time he has moved a player out of their recognised position, having used Matt Done at Rochdale in different ways.

He added: “Doney was an issue we had because we sold Scott Hogan for £1m to Brentford from Rochdale.

“In turn, we had a void, and I saw elements he [Done] had that could help the club at the time.

“[Before] Saturday I felt as though in midfield we hadn’t won enough headers and tackles. Jon has that north east attitude, needs a bit more football intelligence, but he’s a great lad, he’s good at getting about.

“He was probably surprised to be in the team but I’m glad he was, and it was backed up.”