By Amanda Little

Last updated at 12:33, Tuesday, 15 July 2008

Carlisle United boss John Ward has drafted Brunton babe Conor Tinnion into their Scottish boot camp – and it could be his ticket to the big-time.

Conor Tinnion

The 17-year-old from Cockermouth, who plays on wide left, will join United’s first-team at a training camp in Glasgow this week.

It caps an impressive first season at Brunton Park as Tinnion’s rapid progress in the youth team and the reserves has attracted Ward’s attention.

The United gaffer is tipping a bright future for the youngster – one of three teenagers who travelled to Glasgow with the United squad yesterday for a week of intense training followed by a friendly against Scottish First Division side Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Striker Gary Madine, who recently turned down boyhood idols Newcastle United to sign a three-year deal with Carlisle, and second-year YTS Dan Wordsworth, who has just penned a one-year deal, also headed to Glasgow.

Tinnion, who left Cockermouth School only last summer, was part of the Carlisle team which reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup last season, losing 2-0 to Aston Villa at Brunton Park.

Ward said: “Coming to Glasgow with give the young lads a chance to gain experience of being away with the first team and continues their football education.

“Conor has had a very good year and deserves his chance. He came to my attention last summer as he played a number of reserve games and I also saw him in the juniors.

“He has an exceptionally good left foot and we think this young man has a lot of potential.

“We have quite a few left-footers at the club like Jeff Smith, Simon Hackney and Grant Smith and Conor’s left foot is as good as anything at this club.

“There are plenty of opportunities at this club for young lads and taking the likes of Connor up to Glasgow with the first team sends out the message through the football club that they will get a chance here.

“Young players can get lost in the system at a big club but at Carlisle they get an opportunity.

“Coming up to Glasgow will give them an indication on how they deal with away trips and the nomadic life of a footballer, travelling and staying in different places during their career.”

The United party will be based at a hotel in Glasgow this week, but will be using training facilities at the university.

Swimming and gym work will also be on the itinerary, as well as building up towards Saturday’s friendly.

Ward said: “Glasgow university has excellent facilities and we will all be focusing purely on football with no other distractions.

“We can train early mornings and evenings if we want. It’s a chance for us all to get together and is good for team bonding.”

First published at 11:44, Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk