Paul Simpson has stressed he won’t be treating Owen Moxon any differently whilst his contract situation remains unresolved.

The Carlisle United manager says there has so far been no further progress on the offer the club have tabled to their star midfielder.

Moxon was recently the subject of a reported £250,000 bid from Blackpool - an offer Carlisle rejected before issuing a statement saying he was not for sale.

They want to tie the Denton Holme favourite to improved terms, while Simpson says it is inevitable that Moxon’s "head has been turned" by the speculation.

Asked if the situation had progressed, Simpson said: “No, nothing’s happened, there’s been no discussions with him.

“The contract’s there for him.

“I speak to him but we’ve not discussed the contract.

“He has conversations with me about the future of the football club. He’s not completely ruled it out.

“I can’t really tell you where his head’s at because I haven’t had that discussion. I just want him to focus on his football.

“For me, the biggest thing is he needs to just perform. When he’s selected he needs to perform.

News and Star: Paul Simpson discussed the Moxon situation ahead of the new seasonPaul Simpson discussed the Moxon situation ahead of the new season (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“If I get to a point where I think he’s not performing, then he won’t be in the team. There’ll be no favouritism, I won’t be treating him any different to what I have before.

“He’s our player and I want him to stay that way.”

Simpson said he was not putting a time limit on United’s offer as they look to persuade Moxon to commit his long-term future to his home-city club.

Speaking ahead of the start of the new League One season on Saturday, Carlisle’s manager added: “There’s no timeframe, I’m not putting a deadline on it – I just want him to stay.

“I suppose the ultimate deadline will be next June 30 if he hasn’t signed the contract, but we can’t do anything about that.

“I want him here. I know for a fact he enjoys being here.

“It’s just [that] his head’s been turned a little bit, which is understandable, and we’ve just got to turn it back and make sure he’s fully focused on us.”

Moxon, speaking to the BBC at the EFL's launch event this week, said he was not paying attention to any "outside noise" and that he remained fully focused on his football at United.

He said he had a year left on his current deal and was looking forward to the start of the season.

It does not appear, though, that Moxon was asked directly in the interview about the prospect of him signing the improved deal Carlisle have offered.