Carlisle United say they are still optimistic of keeping Stefan Scougall – but have warned him “the door will shut” if they sign other players in his position.

The Scottish midfielder is the last of four players offered new terms by the Blues to decide on his future.

After Tom Parkes and Jamie Devitt left Brunton Park and Mike Jones agreed a one-year stay, United are still waiting on 26-year-old Scougall.

Carlisle are pressing on with other transfer plans in the meantime and expect to wrap up a deal for another attacking midfielder tomorrow.

Manager Steven Pressley remains keen to add Scougall to next season’s ranks regardless of that move, but director of football David Holdsworth said they cannot wait forever.

Holdsworth said: “He [Scougall] still has an offer on the table. It comes down to agents.

“Steven is optimistic, as am I. Stefan is a great lad, but we will have to wait and see.”

Asked if there was a timescale on a decision, and the possibility United could move on to other players, Holdsworth said: “We are open-minded. If someone else comes in that position, the door will shut.

“But we’re not in that position yet.

“It is up to him and his representative to make a decision and we will take it from there.”

Holdsworth said ex-Sheffield United man Scougall was offered “a good deal” by the Blues at the end of last season.

The Scot made 15 appearances, scoring once, in the second half of the campaign after moving to Cumbria from St Johnstone.

The attacking midfield area requires attention by Carlisle in light of Jamie Devitt’s departure.

They are also in talks with centre-halves, a winger and a striker, with several loan targets also on the agenda.

Holdsworth, meanwhile, says United’s programme of pre-season friendlies will give Pressley’s team a suitable test ahead of the new campaign.

Their schedule was completed with the confirmation of a trip to Ross County the week before the new campaign kicks off.

That will follow games against Hibs, Penrith, Chester, Fleetwood and Tranmere.

“Last year was rather bare, nothing was in place, and there had been changes at the club – I suppose the club thought they’d wait until a new manager came in to see if he was satisfied [by the situation],” Holdsworth said.

“It was a tough job to fill those dates, and some were ok, but with the summer we had [some pitches] were rock hard and it wasn’t the best.

“The timing was late for us to get friendlies because everybody else was taken up.

“This time we have three good games here and good games away. We are looking for tests to give Steven the platform to get his first team out.

“Ross County is not around the corner but it will be a good test – an overnight trip which will help with bonding and getting everyone used to the travelling.”

Holdsworth also said United are planning a two-day bonding trip in the Lake District at an early stage in pre-season.

*Carlisle have announced a new telephone number to handle enquiries to the ticket office, Blues Store and other departments at Brunton Park. They say the new number will cost the same as a local 01228 number, and is included in most mobile phone bundles which have minutes included. This, United say, will enable fans to order tickets over the phone without incurring extra phone charges. It replaces the previous 0844 number.

“We hope this makes the experience easier for everyone,” said finance director Suzanne Kidd.

United’s new number is 0330 094 5930.