ROOKIE striker Chris Porter has been warned he will be a marked man this season -- just five games into his senior career.

The pacey forward scored his first professional goal in Bury's 3-2 defeat to Scunthorpe on Saturday to cap a remarkable rise to fame.

Six months ago Porter was plying his trade with British Universities, without a senior match to his name, before being plucked from obscurity by Bury boss Andy Preece to have a trial at Gigg Lane.

Previous trials with Blackpool and hometown club Wigan had failed to earn him a crack at league football.

But his inherent knack for being in the right place at the right time earned him enough goals in the reserve grade to tempt Preece into taking a chance on the 19-year-old.

He has not disappointed.

After a pair of steady substitute appearances at the back end of last year, Porter has made the striking spot his own.

His height and pace make him a threat to any defence, while his natural ability is also now coming to the fore in the form of neat flicks, turns and link-up play.

But his manager is concerned that trickery could make him a target for some rough challenges this season.

"He's a very intelligent player. He's still learning the game but he's got bags of potential and he's showing that in the games he's played so far," said Preece.

"It was pleasing for him to get off the mark. That can be a burden around your neck, but the more games he plays, the better he'll get.

"It's difficult for the young guys. They are thrown in at the deep end and are going to have to play well in 30 or 40 games.

"That's a big ask, and we have every confidence in their ability, but they are going to have to learn how to look after themselves.

"It's a physical league and Chris does invite a challenge. He's very tricky and any centre half who sees that is going to take him. So he will have to be careful."