Cumbrian Steven Rigg has rejoined Carlisle United on a short-term deal until the new year.

Rigg had been training with Keith Curle's squad as he continued his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

And the 25-year-old has impressed manager Curle enough to earn a second chance with the Blues.

Rigg was released by Curle in 2016 and then suffered his injury while playing for Queen of the South.

He asked to use United's facilities as he stepped up his comeback this year and featured for Carlisle's reserves in their win against Wigan on Tuesday.

Rigg scored in that 4-2 win and the Keswick man could now be involved for the first-team squad at Colchester this weekend.

He had attracted interest from National League clubs Guiseley and Hartlepool but has accepted the chance to impress for United.

Curle said on United's website: "He’s had offers, so we’ve looked at the situation and we know what Steven is about. He likes to score goals and he’s an extremely hard worker.

"We gave him 45 minutes at Wigan on Tuesday, he got his goal and he looked a real threat. He obviously has more to do in terms of getting there with match fitness and sharpness, but that won’t take him long.

"The deal takes him in to January and it's structured so that if he does well, and continues his progression, he could see that turn into a longer stay.

"He's a determined character, as he's shown through the last year with how he's set about getting himself fit again, and I know he will come in and add a real competition for places in forward areas."

Rigg initially joined Carlisle in the summer of 2014 under Graham Kavanagh after prolific goalscoring for Penrith.

He was handed his Blues debut by Kavanagh's successor Curle and scored in his debut at Hartlepool.

He got six goals in 29 appearances in his first professional season but only managed 10 United outings in 2015/16, while a loan move to Barrow was curtailed by injury.

He was released in the summer of 2016 and joined Queen of the South, leaving them a year later after two goals in 16 appearances which came before his November injury.

Rigg will add to Carlisle's attacking options at a time when summer signing Richie Bennett is suspended for two more games.

Rigg has been given squad number 28.