Madine, 17, has been prolific for the youth side and Ward is backing the Gateshead-born teenager to make the most of his first-team opportunities.

"It's a big occasion for him. He's made a couple of cameo appearances," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It gives encouragement to all the other youngsters that there are opportunities at Carlisle United."

Interview: Carlisle United boss John Ward

Illness has also been an issue for Ward with another forward Scott Dobie suffering from flu.

"Dobie rang in this morning with a virus, Dennis Booth's not so well, and Greg [Abbott] was ill before the Forest game," he said.

"We don't want that around the place so we'll have to go without him."