OLIVER Newby admits he’s no longer Old Trafford’s young kid on the block as he strives to become a major weapon in Lancashire’s pace artillery.

Over the past three seasons, the 24-year-old Blackburn-born quickie has shown glimpses of promise that he is ready to follow the paths of fellow home-grown bowling stars James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood.

However, the transition from Red Rose academy hopeful to fully-fledged first-team ace is never the easiest in such exalted company, and Newby is still waiting to confirm his true potential on the county scene.

A healthy first-class record of 75 wickets at 32.40 is promising enough, and his seven-wicket haul at Somerset on the final day of last season’s County Championship was crucial in preserving Lancashire’s Division One status.

However, he figured in just six first-class games for the Red Rose in 2008, spending a loan spell at Gloucestershire to put some overs under his belt.

Now, as many more youngsters step off Lancashire’s conveyor belt bidding to make an impact, Newby knows it is almost a case of now or never to become a regular name on the team-sheet.

“We’ve lost a few senior players since the end of last season, like Stuart Law and Dominic Cork” said Newby, who started his career at Ribblesdale League side Read.

“And that gives a chance for someone like me, Kyle Hogg, Tom Smith and other players to step up and try and make an impact.

“But I think we’ve been in limbo for some time talking about the younger players at Lancashire. Most of us are now 24, kicking on 25. Those ‘young boys’ have been and gone really.

“It's time for us to show what we can do and to make an impact in games and hopefully bring some silverware back to Old Trafford.”

Newby added: “I want to play as much as possible. But more than anything, I want to be making a real impact in games.

“You can play in every game and not really challenge for a match–winning performance.

“But if you can play five games and put in three match–winning performances, you are doing much more for your career.”

“When you lose experienced campaigners, it does give the younger players a chance to step in and put their name in the hat.

“Some people say that you need experience if you are going to win the trophies.

“But we’ve always put a strong emphasis on youth at Lancashire and, with a new captain and coach this year, the younger players will be fighting for a place in the side.”