KARL Brown is backing his fellow Boltonian Haseeb Hameed to shine for Lancashire after being handed his first professional contract.

Ex-Farnworth Social Circle star Hameed turns 18 in January, and he has been earmarked as one to watch as he has risen through the Red Rose age-group teams.

He has also shone for the England under 17s and, most recently, u19s sides.

Still completing his education at Bolton School and touring the sub-continent with an England Development Programme squad earlier this month, Hameed’s involvement in Lancashire’s senior winter training has been limited.

Brown, however, has already seen enough whilst playing second-team cricket with the right-hander to know that he is a special talent.

Both men will be competing for a place in Lancashire’s Championship batting order, which will include the likes of Paul Horton, Steven Croft, Ashwell Prince and a so-far unnamed Test batsman.

“Haseeb’s as good a young player as I’ve seen,” Brown said.

“We haven’t seen that much of him so far because I think he’s had other commitments with school and things like that, but from what I’ve seen in the second team having played with him, he looks a great prospect.

“He’s fitted in really well.”