Paul Simpson has issued a contract ultimatum to Jamie Devitt – and wants an answer today.

The Carlisle United manager revealed he has offered a deal to the midfielder, who has been training with the squad all pre-season.

Simpson said the terms he has offered Devitt are linked to his appearances in the side in the 2022/23 season.

But the manager warned he will part company with the popular player if agreement is not reached today.

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Simpson spelled out the situation in an article on the club website, ahead of the start of the new season on Saturday.

The Blues boss said: “We’ve made him an offer to stay at this football club, and he’s now considering it.

“I’ve actually said to him that I need a decision by Thursday, because if he hasn’t decided by then he isn’t going to be involved on Saturday.

“I can’t afford to have him around if that’s the case. I’ve made an offer to him that I think is a good offer for us, for his situation that he’s in.

“For him, if he’s playing in our team it’s at the same level as it was last season. If he’s not playing, it won’t be.

“He wants to stay, but he has to make the decision whether it’s right for him financially. I’ll wait and see, but hopefully by Thursday we’ll have a decision – well, no, I will have a decision by Thursday otherwise I’ll have to shake his hand and we’ll part ways.”

Devitt, 32, rejoined the club in January under former boss Keith Millen, and played an important role in Simpson’s subsequent turnaround in the team’s fortunes.

Injury then ruled him out of the closing stages of the campaign, with Simpson declining to offer him a deal but inviting him to prove his fitness in pre-season.

Devitt, after missing the early days of training with injury, scored a hat-trick in his first pre-season outing at Kendal Town and has featured in Carlisle’s games since then.