CAINE Winfarrah could follow his manager's lead and become an established attacking full-back.
Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst made almost 500 appearances for Rotherham United – predominantly at left-back – having progressed through the Millers' Youth system as a winger.
And Winfarrah appears to be following a similar course after playing most of his junior football as a wideman, but filling in at the back superbly during Tuesday night's draw with Nuneaton.
The 18-year-old Grimsby lad replaced the injured Aswad Thomas after just 15 minutes at Blundell Park, and could retain his place against Dover this afternoon (3pm).
"It was certainly a positive from the other night – getting a young player out on the pitch and doing well for us," Hurst told the Telegraph.
"Caine can do both sides of the game, and that's another handy string to his bow.
"I can certainly relate to that. I went through the system as a left-winger up until getting into the Youth team, and then was thrown into the Rotherham first-team without doing too much work initially at left-back.
"I said I'd rather play than be sat on the bench, and that worked out quite well for me.
"It gives you an understanding of the different positions, and if Caine moves to left-back he should certainly know what to expect from the man in front of him and what he might get – and vice versa.
"It suited us the other night to get a naturally left-sided player on the pitch when Aswad limped off.
"We had quite a lot of possession, so having someone who is comfortable on the ball was ideal."
Hurst can also relate to Winfarrah's 'diminutive' stature, and the challenges that brings in defence.
He added: "Modern day full-backs are encouraged to bomb forward, and I certainly like mine to get forward where possible and then put quality into the box.
"That suits Caine down to the ground.
"I'm not really one to talk, but it's just the stature and the physical nature of defending – particularly at the back post area – that needs to develop.
"That's where a bit of positioning, experience and know-how comes in.
"But he's very tenacious, and he's got a real desire to win inside of him, which is fantastic."
