Carlisle United have confirmed they can still receive compensation for Alex McQueen - despite dropping their bid to re-sign the defender.

Manager Keith Curle last week called an end to the summer-long saga which had seen right-back McQueen reject the Blues' offer of a new deal.

The ex-Spurs man eventually returned for talks but Curle decided no longer to pursue McQueen.

United, though, have stressed they will still be entitled to a fee when the 21-year-old resumes his career elsewhere.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens told the News & Star : "The player is no longer with us, but we retain any rights to compensation going forward."

United are in such a position because McQueen was under 24 when his contract expired and the Blues offered him fresh terms.

McQueen is understood to have trained with other clubs during pre-season but has yet to get fixed up with a new club.

Curle suggested that geography may have been a factor in the defender's apparent reluctance to return to Carlisle.

The Blues manager added: "Alex didn't see his immediate development as staying with us, and was within his rights to find out what other interest was out there, professionally or personally, because of where we are. Logistics come into account.

"We shook hands, and it's down to Alex to further his career, and down to me to make sure we continue our own progression."

Curle, meanwhile, must decide whether Jason Kennedy is ready to return to the squad for this weekend's League Two trip to Barnet after a knee injury saw him omitted from the EFL Cup encounter at Derby.

Curle said: "He had a knock. Jason was desperate to be involved. But sometimes you have to make decisions."