Teenage frontman Nic Bollado has forced his way into first-team squad contention for the new season, Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson says.

The 17-year-old youth team player has impressed with his pre-season showings.

And manager Simpson is now giving serious thought to including Bollado in his senior ranks for the start of the new campaign.

Simpson described north east native Bollado’s displays as “excellent” so far this summer.

The Blues boss said: “I think he’s shown a really good level of maturity over pre-season.

“He seems to have a good football brain. Also, he’s a real good finisher. He’s shown some great technical ability in finishing things off.

“And I just think when you’ve got somebody like that…everybody likes to see your own players coming through.

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“He’s done really well so far and he’s just got to keep going. It’s been a big step up for him coming from youth team football.

“Last season I can’t even remember him training one session with us. So it’s been a big step up for him to come in and do the physical load he’s done.

“The pace of the training’s different to what he’s used to, but he’s held his own.

“He’s had a couple of sessions where it’s probably looked as if it’s a bit too much for him but he’s done really well in games, and he’s definitely put himself into my thinking in terms of a first-team squad player.”

Bollado, a second-year youth striker, scored in the early friendlies against Penrith and Kendal Town, and could be in the mix for today’s home encounter with Bolton Wanderers.