Carlisle United have spoken of their delight at the "wonderful news" that former Blues winger Joe Thompson has beaten cancer for a second time.

The 28-year-old this week announced he was in complete remission after his second battle with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma.

Rochdale winger Thompson's fight has brought messages of support and goodwill from across football.

And the Blues, where Thompson played 17 games in the 2015/16 season, said the fact his latest course of chemotherapy had seen off the cancer was the best news possible.

United spokesman Andy Hall said: "Everybody was gutted when we found out Joe was facing another battle.

"Having spoken to him in depth, and knowing what he had been through the first time, it was clearly something very difficult he was going to have to confront again.

"But being the man he is, Joe did that and it was unexpected but wonderful news on Wednesday when we found out that he had beaten it again.

"Equally, it's no surprise that he has done it. We have all followed his story and he has told it in such a dignified way, showing people you can take things like this head-on and come through the other side with a smile on your face.

"He is a wonderful fella who, because of what he has been through, has a real appreciation of life, and that is infectious.

"To see him come through it is the best piece of news we have had in a long time."

The former Tranmere and Bury player had tweeted: "I'm in complete remission. Simple terms I'm cancer free. Extra-time and penalties but THOMPSON 2 Cancer 0."

He later said he was "overwhelmed" by the messages of support he had received, and paid tribute to his wife Chantelle and daughter Lula.