Keith Millen says he will take a close look at Brandon Comley after confirming the ex-Carlisle United loanee is training with the Blues.

Former QPR man Comley is a free agent having left Bolton Wanderers in early November.

He subsequently linked up with the Cumbrians and has been training with the squad for several weeks to build up his fitness.

Manager Millen said that was as far as the arrangement went currently – but he plans to assess Comley in a practice match next week.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of the 2015/16 season on loan at United from QPR, since when he has played for Grimsby Town, Colchester United and Bolton.

Speaking at his press conference today, Millen told the News & Star: “Brandon became available because his contract was terminated.

“He’s got a history at the club, people knew him, so when they mentioned him I looked at video clips of what he is and who he is.

“I met the lad and I liked him. I said, ‘Listen, I can’t offer you a contract now but I’d like to have a look at you in training’ – so he’s been coming in training, getting himself fitter.

“The problem is with some out-of-contract players, when they’ve not played much football, it’s very difficult for me to make a judgement on them, because you’re not seeing them when they’re fully fit.

“Brandon’s training with us, getting fitter, and he’s one that I will probably look at next Tuesday in a practice game, so at least I can see him in an 11v11 game.”

Comley made just one appearance for Bolton this season before agreeing his departure from the League One club by mutual consent.

He played 14 times for the Trotters in their League Two promotion campaign in 2020/21.

Asked if he remained open-minded about the possibility of the midfielder remaining with United, Millen added: “He’s the type I’m looking for.

“If there’s a midfielder who’s good on the ball, can see a pass, knows the position, that type of midfielder…I would look at it.

“People [here] know him better than me because he’s been here before. It’s down to me to have a look at him now and see if I think he’ll enhance what we’ve got.

“But I won’t – and I’ve said it to the lad – just drag it along for the sake of dragging it along, because he needs to sort himself out somewhere. We’ll probably have more of a discussion next week.”

Comley made 13 appearances for the Blues under Keith Curle in 2016, making his debut against Everton in the FA Cup fourth round.

Millen, meanwhile, would not be drawn on online rumours surfacing this week which have linked Carlisle with their former forward Omari Patrick at Burton Albion.

“I never talk about rumours,” he said.

“We’ve got targets, that’s all I’d say. We’ve got a lot of targets. Some are nos, the next day they might be a yes, that’s the market.

“We’ve got a lot of targets and I assure you I’ll tell you when [anything] happens.”