Cumbrian Patrick Brough says he is weighing up several offers as he prepares for life after Carlisle United.

The Silloth defender admits he has a big decision to make as he seeks a fresh start following his Blues departure.

Brough, 21, insists he feels no bitterness about his Brunton Park exit after he was released by manager Keith Curle.

But the left-back is now desperate to secure a move that will reignite his career.

Brough said: "I've had some good interest and I've been pleased with the options, and the hardest bit is going to be choosing one.

"It's a massively important decision for me. This is a time when I really need to start playing games and cracking on."

Brough said he has attracted interest from the National League and also other leagues.

It follows the end of his time at United, where he came through the youth ranks, made his debut at 17 and chalked up 49 appearances.

He then fell out of favour under Curle, who loaned the young Cumbrian to Lincoln and, last season, Salford City.

Brough said: "When I first broke into the team there was a period where I was playing regularly, and everything was great.

"But everyone knows football isn't always like that. It can go up and down and I've experienced what it's like not to be in the team and the disappointment that comes with that.

"You learn from it and I don't want that feeling again.

"I had a couple of chats with the manager - he picks the team, he explained his thoughts, and his decision was that he was playing Danny [Grainger] and that's fine.

"We both agreed I needed to get games and that's the reason I went to Salford. My contract was up in the summer and I needed to go out, knuckle down and get noticed.

"It was a good club to be at and I got that taste for playing every week again. That's what I want to carry on doing now."

On his departure from United, Brough added: "There's no bitterness on my part. The manager [Curle] said his decision not to keep me was because I needed to play games. I'm at that stage too and if I wasn't going to play many at Carlisle, it's time to move on.

"It's not a case of proving anyone wrong. It's about doing it for myself, believing in myself and proving I can do it.

"I've been at Carlisle a long time. It's the only club I've been at, and I made some great friends and memories I'll never forget.

"But it's time for a fresh start and I think somewhere new, with fresh faces and the chance to play, will do me the world of good.

"I am still a young lad, but I'm not 17-18 any more. I'm at an age where I need to knuckle down and play as many games as possible.

"In the next couple of weeks or so, once I've finished meetings and had a discussion with my agent and my mam and dad, I'd like to have an idea of where I'm going.

"I want to be in pre-season, ready to get my head down and not look back."