Carlisle United defender Corey Whelan has turned down the chance to join Colchester United.

The League Two club made an enquiry about the Blues centre-back.

But the 25-year-old has decided against the possibility of a move to Essex.

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson today said there had not been a formal approach, but Colchester had expressed their interest in Whelan.

“Nobody came to me about that. I know there was an enquiry to one of our directors asking about his personality, and then an enquiry went to his agent,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“But Corey decided it wasn’t for him. So as far as I know that’s nipped in the bud.

“Nothing ever came to me about that, [although] this is how moves work. Corey didn’t fancy that. It’s gone as far as I’m aware.”

Colchester’s interest in Whelan emerged yesterday but as things stand he will remain with United beyond the deadline.

Their manager Ben Garner today said the prospect of moving so far south did not appeal to Whelan.

Speaking to The Gazette, Garner said: "Corey’s a really good player. He’s done really well for Carlisle.

“He’s a player we looked at earlier in this window but currently, he doesn’t want to relocate south.

“That’s why he didn’t become an option for us."

It is the second time Whelan has turned down the chance to leave the Blues.

In January the versatile defender also knocked back the prospect of a move to another League Two club.

Whelan went on to play an influential part in United’s promotion via the play-offs.

The ex-Liverpool and Wigan Athletic man has not figured in the first-team so far this season.

Simpson, meanwhile, is continuing efforts to bring in a striker before Friday’s 11pm deadline.