Keith Millen says Premier League new boy Dynel Simeu must earn his place in the Carlisle United side like any other player.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has joined the Blues on loan from Southampton in a bid to gain first-team football.

Millen believes the former Chelsea and England youth player is of the right calibre to make the transition from Under-23s to League Two football.

But he says the Blues have made no promises on the amount of games Simeu will play - and it is down to the defender to impress.

“I wouldn’t guarantee [that],” Millen said.

“Southampton obviously want him to play games, that’s why he’s here.

“He has to fight for his place, and then he has to perform.

“If he doesn’t perform, like anyone, there’s no reason that I have to keep him in the team.

“I’ll keep Southampton up to date on his progression. That might be part of his learning over the next 20 games.

“He’s trained with us now for two days and settled in well. It will be down to him, like all of them, to play well and keep their shirts.”

Millen said he identified Simeu as a top target from an early stage in his time at United.

He is delighted to have secured the defender, who has been around the Saints first-team in recent weeks, and could now be in the Blues squad to face Sutton United on Saturday.

“Straight away, when you see him as a person, he has a great physique about him and a great presence about him,” United’s boss said.

“That’s the first thing you notice. Then you have to look into it more, the details of what he is as a player.

“I watched a lot of videos, I went down to Southampton twice to see him live, and he ticks a lot of boxes, in his game.

“When I saw him at Southampton he played on the left; he’s predominantly right-footed but is one of these centre halves who’s comfortable on the left as well.

“That’s a big thing that he can compete for both sides. I know what it’s like as a centre-half; sometimes some defenders struggle, a right-footer on the left or vice-versa.

“Since then I’ve met him twice, really like him as a lad. He’s very humble, wants to learn, just wants to get better.

“Once I’d met him I was clear I’d ty and do everything I can to get him here.

“It’s been a lot of work, trying to convince him first of all then trying to convince Southampton it was right for him, then Southampton said no because he was close to the first team, and he was sub for the FA Cup.

“I was praying he wasn’t going to play and do well! Luckily he didn’t.

“When Southampton gave him the all-clear to go out on loan I went and met him again to try and convince him.

“For someone to come from Southampton to Carlisle is a big ask. I’d like to think he’s come here because I can help him become better. I’ve got to work with him, and I think he’ll really help us.”

Millen admitted the Under-23 market must be negotiated carefully when trying to find players who are ready for first-team battle in League Two.

He said: “Some 23s football can be a little bit tippy-tappy, not realistic

“To be fair to Southampton when I’ve watched their 23s play, they insist they do it right – it means something if you give the ball away.

“Sometimes 23s football there isn’t a consequence to their actions. That’s something I hope Dynel realises – you’re playing for three points, there’s a lot on the line.

“That’s a question mark, of course it is, but I do feel having seen him and spoken to him, and worked with him now for a few days, he realises that as a centre-half his job there is to defend – and he likes to defend.

“That’s hopefully what we’ll see.”

Millen hopes Simeu will provide strong competition for fellow centre-halves Morgan Feeney, Rod McDonald and Corey Whelan.

“You want that competition for places,” he said.

“Also, we are short now. Jonathan Dinzeyi went back to Arsenal, Kelvin Mellor is out injured for a long time.

“When you look how many defenders we’ve got, we’ve not got a load.

“We are definitely short but it’s more the competition for places and bringing in quality that’s going to improve us, and that’s what Dynel will do.”