Workington Reds boss Danny Grainger admitted star midfielder Ceiran Casson may be destined for a future in the game which takes him beyond Borough Park thanks to an impressive debut season in senior football.

Casson's technical ability and adaptation to the rigours of playing on Saturday then Tuesday week in and week out have earned plenty of plaudits from Reds' coaching staff and supporters over the course of the campaign.

And while Grainger is delighted to have the playmaker at the base of his midfield ahead of Reds' trip to Tadcaster Albion today (2pm kick-off) looking to secure three more points in the NPL North West Division title race, he conceded that if his performances continue at their current levels he may outgrow the club.

He said: “Cass is playing years ahead of himself and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“Obviously he’s with us but I think if he carries on putting performances in like that I can’t be sure that he’ll be here for very much longer.

"The way he’s playing is way above the age that he is and way above our level.

“He is a fantastic talent who’s got everything and the way he goes about his business, he takes every instruction on board and tries to implement it and that’s all we can ask of him."

Casson arrived with left-back Liam Brockbank last summer after both players left the Carlisle United youth set-up and, having seen enough of them during his time as captain with the Brunton Park club, Grainger is not surprised by the impact they have had. The pair signed new contracts in December which will run until the end of next season.

“I brought them in because I knew what they were like and knew they’d take the challenge of taking a setback and driving forwards," he said.

“They’ve done that – the pair of them – and they’ll be frustrated not to be in full-time football but it’s great to see them with a smile on their face and playing football the way I know they can.”

Grainger has been pleased to see players stepping up when given opportunities from the bench to put pressure on their team-mates by making an impact.

Nathan Waterston scored at home to Ossett United in the Integro League Cup and found the back of the net again just four minutes in when he started against Mossley last weekend

And on-loan South Shields forward Millenic Alli has been introduced as a second-half substitute in each of the team's last two games, scoring within minutes on both occasions.

“You want players to come in and make an impact," Grainger said. “I think Nathan has been frustrated with his game time over the last month or so but he’s come in and scored the goal and Millenic is knocking on the door."