Jack Stretton looks set to keep his place in the Carlisle United side after Paul Simpson admitted he was impressed with the frontman at Grimsby Town.

Stretton shone in a left-sided attacking role as he set up the Blues’ opener and caused the home defence plenty of problems.

The Derby County loanee, Simpson said, then “epitomised” the team's fighting spirit with his work-rate in the 2-1 win.

United’s boss said Stretton had done enough to earn another chance in Carlisle’s XI.

That will come against Crewe Alexandra at Brunton Park on Saturday at a time Simpson is hoping to have Omari Patrick back fit.

READ MORE: Simmo hails Moxon after Cumbrian's first Blues goal

Asked if the left-sided role could be a more comfortable fit for striker Stretton right now, Simpson said; “Possibly. It might get him bedded into the team.

“He’s certainly done well enough to deserve another chance, that’s for sure, if he’s ok for the weekend.

“He was outstanding in the way he worked. He did really well for us going forward in the first half, with the chances he was creating.

“In the second half it was a different type of display. Probably not a display I expected when I signed Jack Stretton – he was signed as a striker who was going to score goals.

“But he was outstanding out of possession and really did a shift for us.”

Stretton’s outing at Blundell Park came in just his second league start for the Cumbrians.

If the 21-year-old keeps his place on Saturday it will mean a first home start in the league.

It will come against a Crewe side whose defence includes two ex-Blues men in Kelvin Mellor and Rod McDonald.