Carlisle United legend Peter Murphy says young Blues defender Max Kilsby is making “excellent” progress in his Annan Athletic side.

The on-loan teenager has impressed for Murphy’s promotion-chasers.

And the Annan boss and ex-Blues favourite believes Kilsby is heading in the right direction.

The 19-year-old’s recent defensive efforts have been coupled with a goalscoring touch which has seen Kilsby score three goals in five games.

Murphy told the News & Star: “Max is doing excellently.

“When he came in, at first I think he got a bit of a shock to what this league was about, which can be the case with any young player.

“We had to leave him out for a couple of games until he was aware of it – but since then he’s grown immensely.

“He’s grown physically and mentally, and he's come right out of his shell.

READ MORE: Carlisle United winger takes on Rangers' rising stars

“He's quite a quiet boy, but the players absolutely love him.

“He’s growing as a player, developing and taken on board what competitive league football is on a Saturday – and he just wants to learn.”

Kilsby has featured in an Annan side who have risen to third in Scottish League Two.

The first-year United pro scored against Albion Rovers, Bonnyrigg Rose and East Fife and recently extended his loan until the end of the season.

Murphy says he has used Kilsby in different defensive positions in a back three or four, centrally and at left-back.

He added: “There have been bits and pieces where his levels have dropped but you often find with a younger player that they have three or four [good games] and then maybe drop off, and need another a little kick up the backside.

“But he's taken everything on board and I do believe that he could, given the opportunity and maybe another year or two, be a very good player.

“It just depends on whether he's given that chance. At the moment, having him here benefits us, Max and Carlisle.

“They can see his development. Whether they choose to give him a contract for the next year remains to be seen, but he's playing competitive games and getting an experience which many 19-year-olds wouldn’t be able to get.”

Kilsby is one of three young Blues pros out on loan, with Lewis Bell at Gretna 2008 and Sam Fishburn at Morpeth Town.

Murphy talks about Annan’s progress and this weekend’s clash with table-topping Dumbarton at the News & Star tomorrow.