Chris Beech says Carlisle United are “working on” extending Rhys Bennett’s stay at Brunton Park.

Beech said the situation is ongoing at a time United have loaned out another centre-half, Max Hunt, to Yeovil.

While former Derby man Hunt endured a debut to forget as the Glovers lost 6-1 to Torquay in the National League, Bennett made his 11th Blues appearance against Bolton.

The former Peterborough man has impressed in a United shirt and on the prospects of retaining him beyond his short-term deal, which expires next month, Beech said: “We want to try and do that.

“He was the first player in my thought when I got this job over a year ago.

“There’s no disguising what we think and I think of Rhys and what he thinks of us and me.

“We’re working on that and David [Holdsworth, director of football] is working on that.

“We have to be in a position where we can acquire his services, as such.

“It has to fit him, so that’s where it is at this present time.”

Hunt was loaned to Huish Park after finding first-team chances hard to come by.

The 28-day spell sees him link up with Darren Sarll’s strugglers.

“Max has been very patient, and he’s not a forgotten man going out on loan, he’s playing games, which is great,” Beech said.

Yeovil had moved for Hunt earlier in the week but did not want the deal to be announced until Saturday, Beech said.

“It’s mad, in terms of timing, when you do something like that and then get a call on Christmas Day to say your skipper’s not available,” Beech added, referring to the loss of Nick Anderton to a period of self-isolation because of Covid-19 protocols.

“That’s what happens to my position when you think you’ve almost had 24 hours with your family [on Christmas Day]…”