Target Louis Pedro scored a wonder goal in front of the watching Keith Curle as the Dutch flier pressed his claims to join Carlisle United's play-off push.

The winger struck twice in a reserve victory at Burnley - his second a superb left-footed strike from outside the box.

That made it four goals in two trial outings for a player Carlisle have offered a short-term deal.

Pedro is weighing up that offer, while the Blues will also need to secure international clearance if he puts pen to paper.

It means United are racing against time to register the former Feyenoord players in time for Friday's trip to Yeovil.

But Curle and his backroom team are encouraged with what they have seen from the ex-Under-19 international.

Coach and recruitment chief Lee Dykes said: "I don't have a crystal ball, but the performances we've seen from Pedro so far have been very pleasing.

"Scoring four goals in those games is a good start.

"He can play a part ability-wise, now it's down to the manager about whether he can give him a headache and force his way into his plans.

"He's certainly ready to do a job, but I would say he's not as sharp as he can be, or as fit as he can be, and that's probably a little bit scary in terms of what we've seen in the short term."

Pedro started and finished United's scoring in yesterday's 4-1 friendly win, with Bastien Hery and Troy Archibald-Henville also on target.

Dan Agyei had put a young Burnley side in front before Carlisle's extra first-team experience told.


Lee Dykes Dykes said he was surprised Pedro was a free agent given his ability.

The 25-year-old recently played in the Europa League for Romanian side Targu Mures, after spells in Holland and Bulgaria.

Dykes said: "When we saw the first footage of Pedro we thought, why hasn't he been signed by clubs?

"We looked more into it, got him in the building, saw what we'd seen on video with our own eyes, spoke to people - he had a good upbringing through an academy in Holland - and he has showed his abilities.

"With a player like Pedro it can go either way, and we've got to protect ourselves as a club with someone like that, and give the kind of contract that sees him go and potentially make a small, medium-term impact but also with the longer-term picture in mind."

Dykes was pleased with United's overall display in the game at Burnley's Gawthorpe Hall training ground.

Fit-again Antony Sweeney came through another 45 minutes while several fringe men got pitch time.

Dykes said: "These games are better than any training session, and I thought there were some good performances.

"It was a very young Burnley team, which we didn't know until the morning, but overall it was a good exercise."

United: Hanford (Williams 73), McQueen, Brough, Archibald-Henville, Gillesphey, Hery, Smith (Pearson 46), Sweeney (Bradbury 46), Balanta (Thompson 46), Pedro, Asamoah (Rigg 46).

*DARREN Edmondson has been appointed caretaker manager of National League North side Bradford Park Avenue, after the departure of Martin Drury.

The former Carlisle favourite and ex-Workington and Barrow boss takes charge until the end of the season.

Chairman John Dean said: "We need an experienced manager and some wins to bring safety for this season and put us in a stronger position. We feel Darren has the track record to deliver that."