Ryan Edmondson has been told to stay down the middle if he wants to get a hatful of goals for Carlisle United.

The striker has scored two in two pre-season games as he bids to be a high-scoring frontman for the Blues in 2023/24.

And the ex-Leeds United man will help his cause if he spends more time in front of the posts, assistant boss Gavin Skelton said.

After Edmondson had slid home a late clincher in Carlisle’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United’s Under-21s, Skelton said: “He got into a good area and we’re always talking to him about staying central, because we want him to be a central striker.

“We want him in that six-yard box.

“We were a little bit critical in the first half because he was hanging outside the box for a cutback, or whatever, and we think that as a number nine and a goalscorer you need to be between the sticks.

“If he keeps doing that and sees the benefit, hopefully there are more goals coming from him.”

Edmondson hit six goals in his first season at Brunton Park and has now netted against Livingston and Newcastle in Carlisle’s friendlies.

News and Star: Edmondson also forced Carlisle's own-goal opener with a near-post flickEdmondson also forced Carlisle's own-goal opener with a near-post flick (Image: Barbara Abbott)

He is in a strong position for a starting place in the league opener against Fleetwood Town, particularly given United’s current lack of centre-forward options.

Edmondson and Joe Garner are presently the only senior centre-forwards on the books.

Skelton feels the 22-year-old has plenty of the ingredients to make a name for himself.

“He’s got all the raw attributes of doing it, the raw materials, but it’s about taking information on board,” said the coach.

“We have to keep shouting every time, ‘Get in the box’ – that’s where he’s going to make his money and progress in his career.

“He’ll feel good for [his goals this week]. Strikers pride themselves on goals, that’s their job – even in training they get frustrated when they don’t score.”

United remain eager to add more attacking bodies to their squad ahead of the August 5 kick-off.

The Cumbrians are back in pre-season action at Chorley tomorrow.