Carlisle United Football Club

Speaking about playing first team football, he said: "It's a lot more physical than U21 football. It's bit quicker as well but it's a challenge for us and I think we're both up to it.

"It's surprised me how many games I've played so early because I was expecting to be slowly introduced into it. I had to work for my place and I think myself and Alex have both done alright when we've played.

"I obviously had a bad game against Morecambe but I'll look to build on that and improve. I can see where I've gone wrong but that's part of football. You make mistakes and you learn from them, so I'm looking forward to the next game.

"I'm the sort of player who likes to try and pass out and I'd made four of those passes before the mistake last weekend. I obviously made the wrong decision but I will learn from it.

"Danny [Grainger] has spoken to me about it this week and given me good information, so it's good to have people like that around you. I'm still quite confident even though I did have a bad game. I know I can play a lot better so I have to build on that and make sure I do better against Exeter."

"I've learned a lot so far," he said. "I'm playing next to Danny and Michael Raynes and they both help me all the time, as do the coaches and the manager.

"It's good to feel wanted by a club like this. It's good that the manager wanted myself and Alex [Gilliead] to stay because I get along with him, so it's made it easier for both of us."

"There was no hesitation when we were asked if we wanted to stay," he told us. "I think it's the right thing for us to be playing competitive football at this moment in time. We've been playing U21 football for three of four seasons now so it's definitely the right time.

"To have a season long loan is perfect because this is our team now. We'll have to fight for our places because there are enough players in the squad to keep anyone out of the team. If I'm under-performing I know I'll lose my place, so I need to make sure I stay on top of my game." 

And on the comments made by the manager last weekend, he said: "It gives you more confidence when you hear the manager talking about you in a positive way like that. He was a defender himself and he knows mistakes are made. To hear him saying the things he did say has been a massive boost for me.

"I really want to do well for him and the team. I just want to play as many games as I can until the end of the season. I want another contract at Newcastle so I need to make sure I perform as well as I can and improve as much as I can between now and the end of the season."