Dynel Simeu was handed an outing against Champions League opposition as the prospect of a Carlisle United return was dampened.

The former Blues loan star is currently with the Southampton first-team squad for their overseas pre-season trip.

Simeu came on for half-an-hour as the Premier League side lost 3-1 to RB Leipzig.

While the 20-year-old did not figure in the Saints' latest game - a 0-0 draw with SK Austria Klagenfurt - the chances of another move to Cumbria appear remote at the moment.

READ MORE: Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson: Why I still want to bolster squad

Blues boss Paul Simpson said that, while he would not rule out adding to his three loan signings so far, he preferred to look at permanent signings.

And he said Simeu - a hugely popular figure with Blues fans after his half-season loan in 2021/22 - was not on the agenda as things stand.

"He isn’t one we’ve spoken about at the moment, he isn’t something we’re looking at," Simpson said.

"He came in last season and did well in the initial period when I first came in. He then went out of the team because we had other options there.

"I’m looking to bring players in who are ideally our own players. It hasn’t worked that way so far, with three loan signings, because it’s really difficult. But I am looking to try and make permanent signings.

"I’m not saying there will be no more loans, but the first thing I would like to do is bring in some more permanent signings so they can play for us and we can benefit in the long run if they do well for us.

"That’s been really tough, and I’m delighted with Tomas [Holy] and Owen [Moxon] [and Ryan Edmondson] who have come in as our players so far, but I’m also delighted with the three loans we’ve got in so far as well."

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, speaking after the game against Europa League semi-finalists Leipzig, said he was impressed with the young players he is assessing on the pre-season tour.

“I saw a few interesting things for us, and the young lads and the new guys have found a good way in the team so far," he told the Saints website. "They adapt very quick to the game and the way we want to play.”