Bermuda international Nahki Wells has attracted the interest of Carlisle United and will play for them in a friendly match against Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers next week.

Wells has been in impressive form for the UK-based International Academic & Soccer Academy (IASA) and grabbed a hat-trick against a Hull City reserve side last week.

The 19-year-old has been recommended to Carlisle manager Gregg Abbott by the IASA coaching director Mark Ellis, who has backed Wells to catch the eye against a Rangers side which will be made up of first team players and reserves.

"A friend of mine is manager at Carlisle United and Nahki is going up there to play in a friendly against Glasgow Rangers next week.

"It will be a strong side, a mixture of first team and reserve team players. If I didn't have the confidence in him I wouldn't have made the call," said Ellis, who spent 14 seasons as a winger at Bradford City.

"I'm waiting for the game to be confirmed and, if so, Nahki will be starting. Of course, he's been pestering me everyday on the email asking me for confirmation and that's great. I just hope he does really well."

Initially Ellis thought Wells did not work hard enough off the ball and questioned whether he had a big enough heart to make the grade.

Those concerns have now been erased following the ex-Dandy Town man's standout displays of late which have left Ellis in no doubt that Wells has the ability to become a professional footballer.

"At first I thought he didn't work hard enough and didn't show enough desire but he's started doing that now," he said.

"He's chasing back and working harder off the ball. As long he keeps doing that and shows he can be brave in front of goal then I think he has a chance.

"He made a slow start when he first came over and was carrying a bit of an injury, but recently I've really changed my mind about him."

And Ellis is now of the opinion that the only person who can prevent the youngster from fulfilling his football ambitions is Wells himself.

"Nahki's got so much talent. I've got a guy working with us called Dai Jones who is involved in the England set up and he's of the same opinion.

"He's got a great first touch and strikes the ball brilliantly. I've never seen anyone strike the ball like he does.

"We played Hull City the other week and he scored a great goal from a free kick where he absolutely smashed it into the top corner.

"I think he's a typical late developer and there's no doubt about his ability. If Nahki doesn't make it as a player it will be the other things that let him down."

Both Wells and his Bermuda Hogges team-mate Tahj Bell are furthering their football education at the IASA after it was recommended to them by the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

The four-year course, which is in its first year, allows overseas students them to pursue an American degree while developing their football skills with top level coaching and against quality professional youth academies and reserve teams.

Bell has been in outstanding form for his non-league team Eccleshill United, according Ellis, who believes the big keeper can also carve out a pro career in the game.

"Tahj has been working with our goalkeeper coach and is playing for a North East Counties team at the moment," he said.

"He's actually way above that level but the team he's playing for are doing so well and are four games away from playing in the FA Vase final. Don't get me wrong that's still a long way off but a lot of it's been down to the way Tahj's been playing.

"We've had a chat to him, he needs to improve his footwork and communication skills.

"We're all hoping a league club will come in for Tahj and that he can have a good career in football."

Ellis, who also played for Halifax Town, now hopes the IASA can be provide a permanent path into English football for Bermuda's aspiring young players.

"I've been speaking to Derek Broadley (BFA technical director) and he says he's got another two or three lads who are interested in coming over. It would be nice to get some more talent from Bermuda."