Carlisle United boss Chris Beech says promising teenage winger Lewis Bell can learn from the example of a Sunderland player he tried to sign.

Bell, 18, got his United debut in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy defeat at the Stadium of Light and showed some promising attacking moments.

The Carlisle-born youngster could again be in the squad to face Port Vale tomorrow.

Beech said Bell has plenty of ability and will become an even better player the more experience he gains – citing Sunderland’s Jack Diamond as an example.

The latter scored the home side’s fifth goal on Tuesday.

Beech said: “When Brennan Dickenson pulled his hamstring at Sunderland in pre-season, I rang their manager Phil Parkinson to thank him for the pre-season game, and enquired about Diamond, who’d been at Harrogate.

“You could see the other day the difference in that he’s had that extra 12 months. I know he’s older, but he’s been out, on loan, done really well for Harrogate to help them get promoted, then he scores that last goal against Lewi Bell trying to track him.

“It’s that bit you need to get into those technical players – to stop the goal and then do your thing.

“Lewi was definitely doing his thing the other day – he was confident, taking players on, coming inside, he’s got a beautiful, lovely touch and great football intelligence.

“But you have to have a process and make sure your opposition don’t score. It was just that last goal where Diamond came on the inside and smashed it into the goal.

“It’s not just him at 17-18 having to learn that. I’ll still talk to 32-year-olds about that.

“You could see in Diamond, his resolute, consistent way he plays. Jack Armer did brilliant against him, he didn’t have it his own way at all, then when we took risk to try and get the equaliser [at 4-3] there was a gap on the far side which Lewi had to cover, and Diamond took advantage.”

Beech, though, said Bell remains firmly in his first-team thoughts, having included both the winger and young midfielder Taylor Charters against Sunderland.

He added: “Taylor had not one of his best evenings, but it happens.

“He came on in a Cumbrian derby against Barrow and did well in his time, but didn’t quite get it right at Sunderland when he had his opportunity.

“He knows how I feel about that. He’s got to get in the fast lane, because in terms of time and development and things like that, you’ve got to really catch up quick.

“Taylor knows it’s a good learning curve for him.”