Paul Simpson said a decision is likely to be made this week on the future of Jamie Devitt at Carlisle United.

The Blues boss said he is in discussions with the midfielder.

And a final call on whether Devitt will be offered a deal at Brunton Park appears to be close.

The experienced campaigner got a late sub outing at his former club Morecambe in United’s final pre-season friendly.

It now falls to Simpson and the 32-year-old – who has trained with United all pre-season – to bring the situation to a head.

United’s manager would not give any hint as to his thinking when asked after the Morecambe game, though he did praise Devitt for his personality.

“We’re talking,” Simpson said.

“There’s nothing I can tell you at the moment but hopefully [this] week we’ll be able to say whether it’s a yes or a no.

“I’m speaking to Dev. He’s been a really good character around the place. We’ve just got to make the right decision and he’s got to make the decision he wants as well.”

Simpson would not be drawn on whether he felt Devitt had proved his fitness in order to lead the manager to a favourable decision.

On the prospect of clarifying things before United’s League Two opener against Crawley Town next Saturday, the manager said: “I’d like to. There’s conversations we need to have with myself and Jamie.

“Once we’ve decided, and he’s made his call of what he wants – if that’s what it comes to – we’ll let everybody know about it.”

Devitt has featured in Carlisle’s friendlies against Kendal Town, Workington Reds, Bolton Wanderers, Livingston and Morecambe.

It came after he was invited to train with the squad this summer despite not being offered a new deal at the end of last season.

Devitt’s pre-season efforts have included a hat-trick at Kendal, while he got a 90-minute run-out at Livingston last Tuesday.

He received a warm reception from fans of both clubs during his cameo in Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Lancashire.