New Carlisle United signing Samir Nabi has revealed how France star Florent Malouda inspired him to make the most of his burgeoning career.

The Blues midfielder played alongside ex-Chelsea man Malouda during his recent spell in India with Delhi Dynamos.

And Nabi, 20, says he learned a great deal from watching the 80-cap international at work.

Nabi said: "In Delhi I was around a lot of big stars, and seeing how they live their life on and off the pitch was something I tried to learn little things from and try and embed it in my own life.

"Florent Malouda was there, and he's won basically everything in football.

"It was just a case of seeing what he does, how he prepares, his mindset towards things."

Nabi is launching the next stage of his promising career with United having joined Keith Curle's squad until the end of the season.

He linked up with the Blues after returning from India, signing a short-term deal after a trial spell.

He impressed with a cameo display from the bench for his Football League debut in the 2-0 win at Yeovil.

Now the former West Brom prospect wants to grab his chance at Brunton Park.

Nabi said: "There was a chance of coming on loan a year ago - that never happened, but I wasn't going to turn this opportunity down.

"I'm here to the end of the season but I will try and kick on from there and see what happens.

"The manager has just asked me to go out there, enjoy myself, express my game and do what I can do.

"I think I'm a player that likes to get on the ball, make things happen, be creative, I like to run with it, and I know I can get goals for the team.

"I'm young, I'm still fresh and hungry, and it's just about showing what I can do in the league."

Nabi, one of five short-term recruits made recently by Curle, said he is looking forward to his first taste of Brunton Park having played in front of United's travelling fans at Yeovil.

He added: "It was a great game to be involved in and I was so excited to get the shout to come on, and so happy for the team to get the three points - that's most important.

"It's been exciting, coming in, trying to get everything sorted, and trying to get that first game. Thank God that it's happened now and hopefully we can kick on now.

"This is what I've dreamed about, what I've wanted to do for so long. I'm grateful to West Brom for the grounding and development I had there, but I was ready for this moment.

"Everyone in the squad is sound with each other. There's no negativity around the group. We just try and be as positive as possible.

"We know that we're still in this play-off push and we're going to do whatever it takes to get through it."