Stoke City teenage striker Ben Marshall has been earmarked for a contract extension until 2012.
The 19-year-old former Crewe trainee will also be remaining on loan at Carlisle until the end of the season after 18 appearances so far this term for the League One outfit.
"I've spoken to Carlisle and he will stay there," Potters boss Tony Pulis confirmed to The Sentinel. "He's getting good experience and that's what we want. It's the same with Matty Lund at Hereford.
"We want younger players to get out as early as they can to play against men.
"If they're good enough in the Academy, then we'll get them out playing men's football."