Carlisle striker Nahki Wells is bidding to become the third Bermudan to appear at Wembley, by taking part in April's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

Compatriots Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne appeared at Wembley for Manchester City and Stoke, and Wells hopes to follow in their footsteps.

"This is a big opportunity for me," Wells told BBC Late Kick Off.

"I need to stay focused, work hard to get in the team, and if I get my chance, I'm looking forward to it."

The 20-year-old arrived at Brunton Park when boss Greg Abbott received a tip-off from a friend called Mark Ellis, who took Wells to the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy.

To go from the Dandy Town Hornets to playing in front of 50,000 or 60,000 at Wembley, it would be a great tale for everyone. Carlisle boss Greg Abbott

After undergoing a trial with the club, Wells was handed a short-term deal until the end of the season, and has since made two substitute appearances for the first team.

"He's got pace, great attitude, he's a threat, he gets in behind defenders, he can take people on, and his use of the ball is good," Abbott said.

"We want to encourage him, because the lad wants a helping hand and deserves as big an opportunity as possible."

Many players of Caribbean descent in the British leagues in recent years have become internationals through family ties, including Jason Roberts (Grenada) and Ian Cox (Trinidad & Tobago).

However Wells, like Clyde Best, Lightbourne and Goater, is Bermudan by birth and a stranger to life in England.

BERMUDANS IN ENGLAND Clyde Best- West Ham striker Kyle Lightbourne - Walsall, Coventry and Stoke City striker Shaun Goater - Rotherham, Bristol City and Manchester City striker

"I had never heard of Carlisle in my life, even when I first arrived in England," Wells continued.

"Even when I found out where it was, all I knew was that it was a little town in the north.

"I've been here three weeks now, and I'm getting to know it, settling into the place. It's a nice place to live.

"I enjoy coming in every day to training; it's something I look forward to.

"But it's a big adjustment from playing where I was, especially the speed of the game. Everything is such a big difference, which is something I need to become accustomed to."

With competition for places so strong for Wembley, Wells is by no means guaranteed to be in the fold come Sunday, 3 April when United take on Brentford at the national stadium.

"You know what football is like, it's full of those type of fairytale stories, Wembley's a fantastic thing," Abbott said.

"To go from the Dandy Town Hornets to playing in front of 50,000 or 60,000 at Wembley, it would be a great tale for everyone.

"He'll be around the squad. He was on the bench on Saturday, and it's up to him to prove he's worth a place.

"If he comes on and does well, it's a fantastic tale for everybody."

BBC Late Kick Off in the North East and Cumbria is broadcast on Monday nights on BBC One, times may vary.

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