Anton Dudik has been described as one of the best finishers at Carlisle United as he prepares to start life out on loan.

The young Ukrainian forward will spend the next month with National League North club South Shields.

Blues head coach Mike Williamson believes the north east club will be the ideal place  19-year-old Dudik to develop his craft in first-team football.

He hopes the spell in the sixth tier will help push Dudik closer to readiness to make a first-team impact.

“We really like him, we value him highly,” said Williamson.

“He’s young, he's hungry, he works his socks off, and he's one of the better finishers in the football club as well.

“So it was really encouraging to have him here, but we just feel that at the minute he needs that exposure, he needs minutes on the pitch, and then hopefully he can come here and really influence our first team.”

Dudik, who has made one first-team appearance this season, has joined South Shields on loanDudik, who has made one first-team appearance this season, has joined South Shields on loan (Image: Ben Holmes)

Dudik could make his debut for his new club in their trip to Brackley Town on Saturday.

Williamson explained why he felt South Shields was the right place to send the striker.

“[It’s] because we've had a previous relationship at our previous club, Gateshead, with South Shields, and we know how good of a club it is and how well run it is.

“The facilities are very good, so we really felt it was a good fit for him.”

Dudik is the fifth young Blues player to head out on loan so far this season.

Workington Reds have three young United players on board in Sam Hetherington, Jake Allan and Aran Fitzpatrick, while Josh O’Brien is with Carlisle City but currently injured.

Hetherington, Allan and Fitzpatrick could be involved for the Reds in their FA Trophy first round home clash with Bamber Bridge on Saturday, having all started in the 5-0 midweek defeat at Stockton Town.