Mark Hughes has dismissed the idea of a Carlisle United return for Paul Huntington.
The experienced former Blues captain is a free agent after recently leaving Bradford City.
Carlisle-born Huntington, 37, lives in the city and some fans had suggested United should move to bring him back to Brunton Park.
But head coach Hughes said the Cumbrians have enough central defenders on their books at the moment.
"We're well served at the back at the moment so I wouldn't have thought that would be something that we'd pursue," said Hughes, when asked about Huntington by BBC Radio Cumbria at his press conference on Thursday.
"He's a very good player and has had a great career as everybody knows, but we're okay in that area at the moment."
Carlisle's centre-back ranks currently include Aaron Hayden, Terell Thomas, Bevis Mugabi and the currently injured Morgan Feeney.
Others who can play in the middle of defence include Jack Ellis and summer signing Josh Grant.
The promising 17-year-old Hayden Atkinson, recently handed a professional deal, is another central defender on the books. He joined Workington Reds yesterday on a month's work experience loan.
Huntington was with United from 2022 to 2024, captaining the side to promotion at Wembley in the 2023 League Two play-off final.
The former Preston North End favourite was then released after 2023/24's relegation, after 65 appearances.
He went on to join Bradford last September and made 22 appearances as the Bantams won promotion from League Two under Hughes' Valley Parade successor Graham Alexander.
Huntington, at the end of his contract, was invited back for pre-season training but it was announced last week that the defender would not be staying at Bradford.
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