Paul Simpson says Sonny Hilton needs to do more in order to have maximum impact at Carlisle United.

The Fulham loan midfielder made a bright contribution from the bench as the Blues fought back for a draw at Newport County.

Simpson said he hopes it is the start of things to come from the 21-year-old.

He says the summer signing has all the attributes to be a big hit at Brunton Park if he can build on Saturday’s showing.

“He gets into really good positions and he’s threatening to be a really good player at the moment,” said Carlisle’s manager.

“I want him to take that next step and go and actually do it.

“He’s got so much ability, enthusiasm and we just need him to completely click.

“Maybe I’m to blame a bit for that because he hasn’t had a run of games. But the players who are playing deserve to be.

“Sonny’s just got to do that little bit more to force his way in.”

Hilton is yet to start in the league for the Blues, with Saturday’s cameo his fifth substitute outing.

He has started twice in the Papa John’s Trophy and once in the Carabao Cup.

On his performance at Rodney Parade, Simpson added: “He got into some really good areas – he’s just got to have a bit more belief in himself.

“He’s got probably the best set-play delivery you’ll see when he’s on song.

“I remember working with him with the [England] under-16s, and he smashes the ball with that right foot. When he gets it right the ball wobbles all over the place, he has the knack of being able to do that.

“Little things like that are not quite right for him [at the moment].

“He had a chance to strike a ball from the edge of the box and turned it down. If he can just have a little bit of momentum, and maybe I have to play him games to give him that, there’s definitely a good footballer in there and somebody who’s got a real infectious personality and character about the way he goes about it.

“He just needs to really take off and hopefully we’ll see more from him.”

Simpson, meanwhile, admitted it was a difficult baptism for Derby County loan striker Jack Stretton on his first league start.

“I certainly think it was a tough game for him to come into, but he absolutely worked his socks off and I took him off just to freshen it up a bit as he looked shattered doing the recovery runs,” Simpson said.

“I thought he was harshly treated in the first half by the referee – there were a couple of times where their centre-backs had him round the neck and it was given against him.

“He’ll benefit from being out there, and if he has to go again on Tuesday hopefully he’ll be fresh and we’ll see.

“He did ok without really looking like he was going to score. He’ll get another chance and hopefully it’ll be a better day for him.”