Reggie Lambe believes fatherhood has had a positive impact on his football career now his partying days are firmly a thing of the past.

Lambe became a father for the second time to a daughter this month — he has a three-year-old son from a previous relationship — and says he has never felt more motivated to fulfil his potential.

The 26-year-old has scored six goals already this season for Sky Bet League Two side Carlisle United and believes he is reaping the rewards from a change of lifestyle.

“I’m settled down and in a relationship and that really helps as I’m not out partying all of the time,” Lambe told The Royal Gazette.

“I’ve also just had a little girl and that also helps. I’m feeling really motivated to be the best footballer I can be.”

“Thinking ahead, staying positive, and being motivated — that’s what I think you can put my good form down to.”

Lambe says he cherishes the time spent with his daughter, Aliana Rose, particularly as he is unable to see his son, Jahsiah Thomas Goddard, as often as he would like as he lives in Canada.

“I have a child in Canada and I don’t really get to see him much,” Lambe said. “I wasn’t really around when he was waking up in the middle of the night.

“I see him when I can and speak to him on FaceTime all of the time, but having my daughter with me all of the time, you get a different level of fatherhood.

“It’s been a big thing for me and it’s brilliant having a kid. I’m so happy she’s here now as it felt like a long nine months and I’m so glad that I get to hold her.”

Life has not always so been settled for Lambe, who admits that temptations of the pitch during his time in Toronto prevented him from making the most of his opportunity in Major League Soccer.

He still harbours regrets about his two seasons at Toronto FC and feels his career could have taken a very different trajectory had he shown more maturity.

“I always look back on my time in Toronto when I kind of got caught up in the whole footballer lifestyle, going out all of the time,” said Lambe, who captained Bermuda in their 3-2 defeat at home to Barbados at the weekend.

“I do wish that I’d been different back then and maybe I’d be in a different place now. I’m just trying to stay focused now I’m a certain way and don’t really go out that much.”

It has been more than a decade ago since Lambe started his professional career at Championship side Ipswich Town, where he made six appearances under manager Roy Keane.

He joined the East Anglian club as a teenage trialist alongside fellow Bermudian Nahki Wells, who returned home because of homesickness, but whose career Lambe now takes inspiration from.

“I just want to play at the highest level I can and everyone’s dream is to play at the top level,” Lambe added.

“Whether that’s with Carlisle or somewhere else, I mean, it doesn’t really matter. I see my career going higher.

“Seeing someone like Nahki Wells make it to the Premier League has certainly inspired me. I’ve also started to think about life after football. It’s about trying to get as much money now as I can, so when I retire I’m set for a few years.

“I’ve just been getting my head down and really putting things into practice now.”