Carlisle United boss Keith Curle happy to mix-up side
Last updated on .From the section Football
Carlisle United manager Keith Curle says he will not hesitate to give opportunities to players on the fringes of the squad at Brunton Park.
Curle made six changes to the line-up for Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat on penalties by Tranmere Rovers.
"The important thing is I'm not scared to throw anybody in there," Curle told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"We're paying them to be professional footballers, but what I won't do is throw them in unfamiliar positions."
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Patrick Brough, who made his first-team debut against Blackburn Rovers in a League Cup tie in August 2013, was watched by England Under-19 scouts at Tuesday's match.
Despite missing the crucial spot-kick as the shoot-out went to sudden death, the teenager impressed.
"Patrick had great positional play and some of his deliveries into the box were fantastic," Curle said.
"When I took over at the football club there was a large emphasis on the young players that are in the first team but also in the academy.
"The emphasis is there to produce them at the right time, with the right mentality but also the expectations and understanding of their roles and responsibilities."
