Carlisle United have today confirmed decisions on out-of-contract players - with Mark Howard and Jamie Devitt among those released.

The Blues have offered new deals to Taylor Charters, Brennan Dickenson, Magnus Norman and Joe Riley.

And they have activated a clause to extend the deal of defender Morgan Feeney.

Manager Paul Simpson, meanwhile, has released eight players, with player of the season Howard heading out of the club along with Lewis Alessandra, Danny Devine, Jamie Devitt, Manasse Mampala, Rod McDonald, Kelvin Mellor and Gime Toure also leaving.

There is an olive branch to Devitt, though, as he has been invited back for pre-season training.

The decisions see Simpson begin the process of reshaping his squad at Brunton Park.

Confirming their released and retained list today, Carlisle announced that they have offered new terms to west Cumbrian midfielder Charters, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Gateshead.

Goalkeeper Norman, who lost his place to Howard after injury this season, has been invited to remain at Brunton Park for a third campaign.

Popular midfielder Riley, who has also played on the right of defence, has also been offered a new deal to extend his United stay into a third season.

And Dickenson, whose two-year deal is up, is also wanted for a third campaign by Simpson.

Feeney, who had a strong season in United's defence, has seen an option in his contract activated for another year, with Simpson telling the club's website that he hopes to extend it further.

"I would actually like to extend his contract even further and give him that bit of security, that’s his decision on whether he wants to talk about that.

“I want him to know he’s going to be a valuable part of the squad, but I’ve told him I would like to bring at least one centre half in, so he’s going to have to show me he deserves to start," the manager said.

But Simpson has opted to end the Brunton Park careers of several experienced players.

Howard's release comes a day after the goalkeeper swept the board at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony.

Frontman Alessandra departs after two-and-a-half seasons at the club, with midfielder Devine, defender McDonald and attacker Toure also leaving after two terms in Cumbria.

Young striker Mampala is let go after one season, while defender Mellor and midfielder Devitt, who joined during the season, have not seen their deals extended.

There remains a possibility of Devitt remaining, though, with Carlisle confirming the Irish midfielder has been invited to join in pre-season training when the players return in late June.

Those already under contract for the 2022/23 campaign are Tristan Abrahams, Jack Armer, Lewis Bell, Kristian Dennis, Josh Dixon, Jordan Gibson, Callum Guy, Jon Mellish, Omari Patrick, Joel Senior, Tobi Sho-Silva and Corey Whelan, plus first-year pros Gabriel Breeze, Jack Ellis, Sam Fishburn, Max Kilsby and Scott Simons.

Five loanees - Lukas Jensen, Tyrese Omotoye, Mitchell Roberts, Dynel Simeu and Owen Windsor - return to their parent clubs.

READ MORE: In pictures: Mark Howard sweeps the board at Carlisle United awards night