Joel Senior’s full Carlisle United debut was one of the positives to come out of their defeat to Forest Green Rovers, said Keith Millen.

The right-back came into the side for the injured Kelvin Mellor at the Fully Charged New Lawn.

Senior was unable to prevent the Blues falling to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the League Two leaders.

But the January signing from Altrincham settled in well to the side and made some positive attacking contributions.

Manager Millen felt former Burnley prospect Senior had coped well on his first Football League start.

“I’m really pleased with him, because it’s tough making your first start against a team like this,” the Carlisle boss said.

“I felt he defended really well, and he showed his qualities.

“When he goes forward, what I like is that when he gets faces up one-v-one he can go past people. Which helps create a problem.

“He’s a full back that can create in that respect. It’s a good start for him and he will definitely get better.”

Millen said United were still waiting to learn the full extent of Mellor’s ankle injury.

But he confirmed that the experienced defender was likely to be out for some time.

"It’s not good," the manager said. "He’s seeing a specialist, but he’s going to be out for quite a period of time. We don’t know exactly how long yet."

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