Steven Rudd insists Charlie Wyke’s fortunes in front of goal will turn if he continues working in the right way.

The Carlisle United striker and captain is yet to get off the mark this season after his highly-anticipated return to Brunton Park.

Wyke has missed some good chances in the Blues’ games so far – including at Bradford City on Saturday, where he hit the post from a great position.

Joint caretaker boss Rudd feels Wyke is experienced enough to know how to handle the wait to break his 2024/25 duck.

And he believes that one goal for the frontman could bring more in quick succession.

“On Saturday the ball skidded through off the grass and he's got in, and he's probably tried to do the right thing and lift it – but he's hit the post,” Rudd said.

“On another day, half a yard the other way, it drops in the net.

“That's football. He'll keep working and he knows [about this] better than anybody.

“He's experienced, he'll keep trying to do the right things, and at some point, once he gets one, hopefully he then goes on to get a hatful.”

Wyke’s fortunes in front of goal were in contrast to Andy Cook’s ruthless finishing at Valley Parade as Bradford’s ex-United striker sent his former club to a 2-1 defeat.

Rudd has highlighted the way the home side were able to set up Cook as the Blues look at the failings that cost them on Saturday.

“We’ve highlighted it – players know that, if they put balls in and around the box, then it is going to be a danger [with Cook],” Rudd added.

“We need to be better when the ball's in wide areas, get locked on to a man and deal with the ball in.

“The goals we conceded, we're really not happy about, and for all the good play we had, we need to be creating more and better chances at the other end.

“We hit the post, a couple of skirmishes in and around the box, but we have to create our own luck with that bit of quality, that bit of extra work, that extra run to go on and really punish teams.”

Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt are now preparing United for Saturday’s home clash with Fleetwood Town, at a time the Blues hierarchy are continuing the recruitment process for a new sporting director and head coach.