Steven Pressley says he entrusted Jamie Devitt with the Carlisle United captaincy – after taking inspiration from Italian football.

The Blues schemer wore the armband for the first time in the victory against Bury and could retain it at Stevenage this weekend.

Manager Pressley said he wanted to make the most of Devitt’s senior status in the United side.

He also said that choosing the 12-goal attacking midfielder to lead the Cumbrians was something he decided having followed football on the continent.

“My thinking was that he [Devitt] is a player that is special in his talents,” Pressley said.

“I wanted him to take a little bit more responsibility.

“He certainly did after 29 seconds [when he scored], so it was a great choice from me!

“I think he reacted brilliantly and gave a really strong performance, [even though] he tired in the last 15 minutes of the game.

“I’ve seen it a lot, especially in Italy, where they make their number 10 captain and give them a big responsibility.

“I like that and thought he responded really well to that.”

Devitt, 28, could again lead the Blues into their next crucial game in the play-off race.

Pressley revealed that regular captain Danny Grainger may still not be fit to return at Stevenage as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Anthony Gerrard, who has often captained the Blues in Grainger’s absence, is fighting to regain his place having been dropped for the dramatic Bury win.

Grainger’s stint on the sidelines could also see Tom Parkes continue in the left-back role, with Pressley praising the big centre-half for his efforts against Bury.

“One thing I will say is that Parkesy acquitted himself brilliantly out there,” said Pressley, who had fielded Parkes in a wing-back role in the previous game at Tranmere.

“He gave us everything and more than I wanted from him.”

On United’s defensive injuries, the Blues boss added: “I think the Stevenage game might again be just too early [for Grainger].

“He is just taking a little bit longer than we hoped.

“He is a little bit older as well, and sometimes [older players] don’t heal as quickly as the younger ones.

“But he’ll get there. He’s making progress, which is the main thing.”

Pressley added that Macaulay Gillesphey, who is close to returning after knee surgery, missed training on Friday in order to see a specialist, but he was due to be back on the training ground this week.

The ex-Newcastle man is unlikely to be involved in the squad for Stevenage.