FORMER Blues midfielder Jamie Devitt has a chance to return to Carlisle United – but has to prove his fitness to Paul Simpson first.

The 31-year-old, released by Simpson at the end of last season, has been a familiar face on the training pitch since the Blues returned from their summer break on Wednesday and Simpson has been impressed so far.

“Jamie is in to work with us,” he told Carlisle’s official website. “I think we all know what he can do on the pitch and I know what he brings in terms of his character in the dressing room as well.

“He’s just got to show me he’s fit enough to deserve a contract, that’s all it is.

“He’s been really unfortunate over the last couple of years with injuries, but he’s come back in good shape.

“He had an illness for about three weeks over the summer which meant he had to start his training programme a bit later than he would have liked.

“He’s done well, and there will come a point during pre-season where I’ll have the conversation with him to talk about what we’re going to do.

“We haven’t put a timescale on it, he’s just come to train with us.

“If he gets an offer from elsewhere and I’m not in a position to do anything then I totally respect that, but he’s going to train and play in the games and we’ll see what happens.”