Paul Simpson said he was “very hopeful” of a positive outcome to talks with Jamie Devitt today.

The Carlisle United boss was planning to meet the midfielder for further discussions this afternoon.

Simpson said the matter was still to be resolved at the time he was giving his pre-Crawley Town press conference at 2pm today.

But he said that, after completing this afternoon’s media session, he would be talking further to Devitt about the contract offer Carlisle have made.

Whilst Simpson stressed that he could not yet give a definitive answer on the player's fate, he said: “I’m very hopeful.

"Jamie wants to be here, I would like him to be here.

“It’s getting the right level of contract for him that satisfies his needs and also my needs in terms of the budgeting, and making sure he’s giving value for money.”

Simpson suggested the terms on the table represented United’s final offer to the 32-year-old, who has been training with the squad all pre-season.

Devitt has remained with the squad in the build-up to Saturday’s League Two opener against Crawley, with Simpson aiming to have the experienced player in his squad for the weekend if things can be resolved.

“We’ve been negotiating all week. We’re at a point where it’s this or nothing. I’m hoping to be going out of here [the media room] and to be given positive news,” the Blues manager added.

“He’s trained today. It’s not a case of him downing tools until he gets X or Y.

“We’ve reached where we’re going to go, and it’s a case of him deciding where he wants to be.

“I have told him it has to be done today, because I don’t want to come in tomorrow and still not know who’s going to be involved in the weekend’s games.”

Simpson said that he would be meeting Devitt after the midfielder had completed a session of gym work this afternoon.

He also said the Irish schemer would be ready to hit the ground running if he does sign a deal in time to be involved against Crawley.

“He’s done everything that needs to be done, so if he plays in midfield on Saturday he knows what his role is for the team because we’ve done it consistently throughout pre-season with him involved with it,” Simpson said.