Jamie Devitt has earned praise from Carlisle United boss Keith Curle for his attitude to being out of the side.

The midfielder earned a recall for the Blues' midweek cup win against Gillingham.

It was the Irish schemer's first start for six weeks.

And Curle said the 27-year-old's approach to being out of favour had been exemplary.

"Jamie had to play [on Tuesday]," Curle said. "Jamie needed to prove to himself.

"He's been out a long time but the amount of time he got through shows he's been conditioning himself very well mentally and physically when needed.

"Some of his passing and vision were excellent and what's needed."

Devitt's chance came as midfield pair Luke Joyce and Kelvin Etuhu were sidelined.

Curle refused to comment on any injury or illness reasons for the pair's absence.

Joyce performed the half-time draw as he missed out on the squad for the first time this season.

Curle, meanwhile, was delighted with captain Danny Grainger's return to the starting line-up following a side strain.

The Cumbrian had only been a 75th-minute substitute against Port Vale in United's previous game. Curle said: "With the injury Danny had, and the amount of training he'd been able to get in, then it comes down to management.

"Do I play Danny and risk losing him for a period of time when we haven't got another natural left-back in the club?

"I make the decision, and in the first half [against Port Vale] you'd arguably say he wasn't missed. The pleasing thing was, when making the selections for Tuesday, Danny was available."

Sheffield Wednesday's ex-United keeper Keiren Westwood is having a groin injury assessed by the Championship club.

The 33-year-old, due to return to Brunton Park in next month's FA Cup third round tie, missed the Owls' defeat to Wolves last weekend.