Teenage frontman Joshua Kayode says he is ready to shoulder more “pressure” as Carlisle United’s line-leader as he targets a positive finish to the campaign.

The striker, 19, is due to face Grimsby tomorrow hoping to score in his fourth consecutive start for the Cumbrians.

Kayode has impressed during his loan from Rotherham and, on his return to the side from injury, scored a penalty in Tuesday’s victory over Newport.

He stepped up ahead of more experienced team-mates and said that taking responsibility under pressure is the sort of thing he knows he must keep adding to his game.

“I do like putting that pressure on myself now,” Kayode said.

“Before, I probably would have been quite happy if someone else wanted to take it, because I would really feel the nerves and get all sweaty about it.

“The older I get and the higher in the leagues I play, I know if I want to be successful I’m going to have to accept that pressure.”

Kayode’s return to the starting line-up coincided with a much-improved Carlisle display in a win which saw fellow January signing Omari Patrick also on the scoresheet.

Chris Beech’s 18th-placed side will hope to build on that against Ian Holloway’s Mariners at Blundell Park - provided the game goes ahead amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Kayode spent the first half of the season in the National League North with Gateshead but has quickly taken to life in League Two with goals against Forest Green and Mansfield before his Newport penalty.

He said: “It’s a big step up. I’ve jumped up two leagues but everyone has made the step up really easy for me and helped me settle in, so it’s just down to me to keep showing what I can do and how good I can be.

“There’s nothing better than scoring, especially as a striker. It’s unbelievable. Once the goal goes in it really settles you down into the game.”

Kayode admits it was a frustrating time when he was ruled out of five games with a hamstring injury, and he is relieved now to be back on the pitch.

He said: “I think it was good for me to do my recovery at Rotherham; if I’d been up here watching the lads go out to training and watching matches I think my head would have been all over the place. I’m just happy to be back playing.

“It was a really bad couple of days after that Mansfield game. I was obviously on a real high after the last minute goal, and I spoke to Dolly [physio Neil Dalton] and we thought it would just be a week or so out.

“When I went for the scan they said four-six weeks, and obviously that isn’t what you want after scoring two goals in two games.

“Rotherham were really good with me when I went back there for my treatment. The physios messaged me after [this Tuesday’s] game and were all really pleased, so I’m just glad to be back on the pitch.”

Kayode grabbed his chance to score in the first half against Newport after Jack Bridge had been brought down.

He said: “I was speaking to Gav [Skelton] before the game and we were talking about how I had two goals in two starts, so as soon as we got the penalty I knew that would be my best chance to make it three in three.

“Lewis [Alessandra] wanted to take it but I was really confident, and I knew I was going to tuck it away. I feel like if I’ve got the confidence I can go and do anything.

“The Newport players who were stood behind me kept saying that the keeper knew where I was going, so it does make you think about changing it. But I didn’t change my mind, I just made sure I got it in the corner and thankfully it went in.

“There’s a lot more pressure on a penalty compared to when you have a shot. It’s because of the build-up to it, the whole stadium is focused on you and everyone expects you to score. I’ve got enough confidence and I believe in myself enough to take them.”

The 2-0 victory also saw United bounce back well from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Colchester.

Kayode said: “It was a bad game on Saturday and the gaffer told us exactly what he wanted from us. We knew ourselves, we didn’t need to be told, so it was good to have killed the game off after half an hour or so. Their red card settled us down a little bit as well.”

As well as tomorrow’s trip to Blundell Park, United have another away game looming with next Tuesday’s trip to face Keith Curle’s Northampton. Kayode added: “Now that I’m back fit I just want to play every game and make up for the time that I’ve lost.”

The young striker, meanwhile, revealed how Carlisle stumbled upon another weapon in his armoury – a huge long throw.

Kayode said the attribute is something he has not used at any of his previous clubs.

He said: “I realised I had a long throw when I was about 15 but it was just a bit of a joke when I was with my mates. I’ve never actually done it since then, but in training in my first couple of days here the coaches were asking if anyone had one.

“I sort of said, ‘I think I might have one’ but I wasn’t really sure because it’s been a while since I did it.

“I had a go and absolutely launched it into the six-yard box, and everyone just looked around amazed. So that’s how I ended up on long throws.

“I’ve never done it in any game for anyone else, and I don’t practice them. I just try and throw it as far as I can. Jon [Mellish] nearly scored last week from it so it might help me get some assists!”