Paul Simpson says young Ukrainian striker Anton Dudik could come into the first-team reckoning at Carlisle United before the end of the season.

Simpson says the 19-year-old will be in his thinking if he continues to impress.

It is early days for the teenager who signed a short-term deal last week – and then scored on his first outing for the club against Penrith.

United have brought Dudik in as a development project with the forward set to play for the Blues’ youth team as an over-age player.

But Simpson has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

“I was really pleased for Anton [to get his goal on Tuesday] because it's his first game for four months,” said Simpson.

“I don't even remember the last time he's played, it's a long, long time ago.

“So I was really pleased with him. He's got a great enthusiasm, his finishing in training has been very good. And I thought he showed that with the way he took his goal.

News and Star: Dudik made his first Blues appearance on Tuesday after signing a short-term dealDudik made his first Blues appearance on Tuesday after signing a short-term deal (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“Maybe he was a little bit unfortunate with another ball that got played over the top – I don't know whether he miscontrolled it or it just went away from him, it was too far ahead.

“But I thought he showed some good signs.

“So there's certainly some promise there that hopefully we'll be able to develop and who knows, before the end of the season he may come into our reckoning.”

Dudik was recommended to United by an agent after he moved to the UK.

He has settled in the Manchester area after leaving his home country amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Some of his family are fighting in the conflict, Simpson has said.

The young forward signed for United after training with the club for several weeks.

He played the first 70 minutes of Tuesday’s 4-1 Fred Conway Cumberland Cup quarter-final victory at Penrith, scoring in the 38th minute as he converted a Fin Back cross.