Chris Beech says he’s just as pleased by the number of bruises Sam Fishburn is collecting as the goals he's scoring whilst out on loan.

The Carlisle United teenage striker has hit six in his first three games for Lancaster City.

But Blues head coach Beech says he's even more satisfied by the physical education the young forward is receiving in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Beech said: “Mark Birch [United’s Under-18 boss] went to see him in midweek.

“I’m really pleased he’s got his goals. I’m pleased more about his feedback after the game.

“He was saying, ‘This old fella was beating me up in the match...’ He had a few bruises and things.

“That’s what he needs. The size he is, and the physicality he is, and the standard of Youth Alliance Football, he’s far better being tested in that area.”

Fishburn, who is on a youth loan deal with Lancaster until January, scored twice on his debut against Witton Albion, a hat-trick in his second outing at Grantham Town and grabbed another against Stalybridge Celtic.

The Dolly Blues take on Mickleover Sports tomorrow.

Some fans have pointed to Fishburn’s prolific start as evidence that Carlisle could have loaned him out to a higher level.

Beech, though, said the 17-year-old striker will still be benefiting in a significant way from his time at the Giant Axe.

He said: “Looking at the quick progress he’s made, following on from the pre-season games he played for us, you could argue that he could perhaps have gone to a slightly higher level.

“But until you go and do something, you don’t know.

“At that point of doing it he’ll gain great confidence from it, and when he comes back, hopefully I’ll see a slight difference in him, because our standards are high and he knows he has to meet higher ones to make sure he plays for Carlisle United.”