Carlisle United rejected Barbados’ attempt to call up Hallam Hope – because they asked too late.

Manager Steven Pressley said the Bajan national side did not approach the Blues early enough in an attempt to include him in their squad to face Nicaragua.

Carlisle’s top scorer remained with his club and played in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Cambridge. Pressley revealed: “Barbados approached the club and we had a situation where they didn’t give us ample opportunity.

“You have to request the player 15 days in advance and they only requested him six days in advance. I refused after speaking with Hallam about the situation, and he was more than comfortable with that.

“He knows his importance to the team, and we are thin on the ground in terms of players. He is a vital member.”

It appears that Hope is able to resume his international career after an eligibility row concerning former England youth international Hope and Mansfield’s Krystian Pearce saw Barbados’ 2-2 draw with Guyana last September – in which debutant Hope scored twice – struck from the records and Guyana awarded a 3-0 win.