TEENAGE snooker starlet Jackson Page is “definitely a player for the future”, according to fellow Gwent cueman Lee Walker.

Ebbw Vale amateur Page, 15, rose to prominence at last month’s Coral Welsh Open when he became the youngest player to reach the last 32 of a ranking event.

After accepting a wildcard entry, he beat Jason Weston and John Astley in Cardiff before losing 4-0 to world number three Judd Trump.

Page’s ultimate goal is to turn professional and that could happen in Cyprus over the next few weeks should he add a European title to the world under-18 crown he won last year.

Experienced pro Walker, who enjoyed a run to the last 16 at the Motorpoint Arena himself and has coached the youngster in the past, is adamant Page has what it takes to make the step up.

“There was obviously a bit of debate whether youngsters should have been put in the Welsh Open,” said the Newbridge ace.

“I think you can see that putting the youngsters in was absolutely the right decision to make.

“It’s all experience for him, he won two matches against two good players, and he’s definitely a player for the future.

“I think he put an extra spark into the tournament and was the youngest player to get to the last 32 of a ranking event.

“Even in the first round, it didn’t matter how he got on, it was all about experience for him.

“To win two matches was fantastic, and then he got to go out and play in front of a packed crowd live on television against Judd Trump – you can’t ask for more than that.”

When asked if there was any advice he would give the schoolboy, Walker added: “He just needs to keep on doing what he’s doing. At the moment, everything he’s doing is the right thing.

“He has got some good people behind him and if he ever needs any coaching he can turn to me.

“His strengths are definitely his scoring and his potting, he’s a fearless potter.

“Obviously, as a youngster, there are other parts of the game that he will need as well and which he will learn over time.

“Going to places like the Motorpoint Arena and playing the players he is playing now, he’ll certainly start to learn those things, but there’s plenty of time for that – he’s only 15 years of age.”