Chris Beech has confirmed that Sam Fishburn is returning to Carlisle United and could make his first-team debut next week – if he’s fit.

The young striker, who has been on loan at Lancaster City, is earmarked for his first senior Blues outing against Everton’s Under-23s in the Papa John’s Trophy next Tuesday.

That, though, will depend on whether Fishburn can overcome the dead leg injury he suffered in a recent Lancaster game.

Dolly Blues boss Mark Fell recently admitted the 17-year-old was set to return to Carlisle after Lancaster’s game against Ashton United this weekend.

It comes amid loan interest in the forward from higher up the non-league pyramid, something United head coach Beech also confirmed to the News & Star today.

Beech said: “Sam’s not training today, because he picked up a dead leg, unfortunately.

“Ross [Goodwin], the physio, is assuring me he may not be available for this weekend for that reason.

“We’ve spoken about trying to get him involved in the Everton fixture. But of course we’ll have to see where he is physically.

“There is interest within the chain of football, up the chain a little bit, and of course we want to see how he’s experienced his experiences at Lancaster.

“We’re thankful they’ve taken him, happy he’s made an impact there, and we want to have a look at him too – he’s our player.

“It’s important he sorts his leg out and then we can all be in a better place on the pitch.”

Fishburn has scored eight goals for Lancaster in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and was named the Giant Axe club’s player of the month for August.

The promising striker was awarded professional terms at Carlisle this summer.

Regarding the Everton Under-23 trophy group game, Beech added: “He [Fishburn] will be involved in it, and we have other attacking players we need to make sure are involved in that too.

“But we need to concentrate on Sutton [this weekend’s league game] first before making sure what the plan is for Everton.”