Mike Williamson has explained why he did not send any first-team players to play for Carlisle United’s reserves this week.

The Blues relied almost entirely on youth team players for their Central League Cup game at Burnley.

The teenage United XI lost 5-0 in their second game in this season's reserve cup.

Williamson decided against giving game time to any of his more senior figures.

He said he required all his first-team squad members for 11v11 in-house training throughout the week, rather than field them in the game in Lancashire.

And Carlisle’s head coach also said the youth players involved will benefit from the experience in spits of their heavy defeat on Tuesday.

“It was a difficult game for them, it was a very young group and we just wanted to put all of our efforts and focus into the training week,” said Williamson.

“I genuinely believe I'm always wanting to promote as young groups as we possibly can.

“Obviously there could have been players that we could have got a bit of exposure to, but generally we've done 11 v 11s in-house [this week in first-team training].

Mike Williamson Mike Williamson (Image: Ben Holmes)

“We felt it was more important for the detail [for them all] to be in and around it here, to get the quality as high as we possibly can – and also to give the young lads that opportunity and exposure.”

United’s youth side endured a difficult afternoon against Burnley’s under-21s but Williamson said such an experience can still teach valuable things.

“I know that it can be tough, but it's the nature of the industry and how you respond to setbacks and losses is going to be one of the biggest determining factors in their ceiling,” he told the News & Star.

“Everyone finds their level, regardless of bits of good luck or bad luck. You have to develop a thick skin and resilience.

“I think they can see that the football club and the first team players are going through this too.

“It will hurt players and some lads will probably take it worse than others, but they've got to try and understand – and we've all got to understand – that it goes on, and you've got to turn up, and then there's another training session and you've got to give everything to that, and it will stand them in good stead.”