New boy Martin Smith insists his Premier League grounding gives him no divine right to walk straight into the Carlisle United team.

The Sunderland midfielder says he will fight tooth and nail to claim a place in Keith Curle’s League Two side.

Smith will be involved in a reserve game at Burnley today having made his first-team debut as a sub against Wycombe.

The 20-year-old will then push for his first start in Good Friday’s clash at Yeovil.

And Smith said: “The day I signed, I said to the gaffer that I’m not coming up here expecting anything.

“I’m coming to earn the right to play and be in the team.

“I’ve got to train well and train hard and, when I’m on the pitch, show why I’m there.

“I’ve got to be confident in my own ability that I can be the best player on the pitch. I can’t wait for the next game.”

Smith’s second-half outing against Wycombe was his Football League debut.

He has spent most of his life with his boyhood club at the Stadium of Light, but Smith says his only focus between now and the end of the season is on the Blues.

“I started at Sunderland at six and signed the papers at eight, and I live a walk away from the training ground,” he said.

“It’s my home club, and I’ve got a lot of love for it, but in my head now this is my club – Carlisle.

“That’s how it has to be and I’ll be here every day.

“It’s my job for the remaining 10 games to help the team as much as I can and try and help the team finish as high as we can.”

Smith’s arrival ended a long period of transfer frustration for manager Curle, and filled the midfield vacancy left by injured Brandon Comley.

The former Gateshead loanee said he is desperate to prove himself in competitive football having impressed at Under-21 level for the Black Cats.

He said: “I’m a local lad, a Sunderland fan, and to play for them in the Under-21s is important, but that [on Saturday] is miles ahead.

“When you’re on the pitch, you can’t hear what the manager’s saying, can’t hear what the staff are saying, you can just hear the crowd shouting on.

“Playing in front of people, the pressure for points – you don’t get that with the 21s. Sometimes having a bit of pressure and dealing with it makes you a better player.

“It’s a big step and I hope I can live up to it. Coming here was a no-brainer and everyone has made me feel welcome.”

Smith added: “Making my Football League debut was a big moment for me and I’m grateful - now I’ve got to repay the faith the gaffer has put in me.

“I want to play as high as possible but I have to show I can handle it at this level.

“There are strong players here, strong characters and a strong manager. Expectations are high, they expect a lot and that’s how it has to be.

“We want to push into those play-offs.”