Carlisle United have today issued a brief response to reports surrounding midfielder Owen Moxon.

Sky Sports last night said Blackpool had failed with a £250,000 bid for the Carlisle-born star.

United could not be contacted last night but, approached again by the News & Star this morning, a club spokesman said the Blues would not be addressing the story directly.

He said simply: "We don't comment on speculation."

Moxon's future is under the microscope after Sky's report last night.

It now remains to be seen whether Carlisle's fellow League One club Blackpool and other clubs who have closely monitored 25-year-old Moxon make further moves.

Further reports today put the Blackpool bid at £300,000 amid claims Carlisle were asking for three times that amount - again, details the club have not confirmed publicly.

The Denton Holme player trained as normal with his Blues team-mates yesterday and is expected to be in the squad for tonight's pre-season friendly at Chorley.

Moxon has a year remaining on his current deal at Brunton Park.

The speculation has emerged less than two weeks before the start of the new season.

The prospect of a transfer saga involving their star player is far from an ideal situation for the Cumbrians as they move closer to the new League One campaign.

It comes at a time manager Paul Simpson is attempting to strengthen his squad for United's return to the third tier.

News of Blackpool's interest is the first suggestion of a solid approach for the former Annan Athletic man, who attracted widespread plaudits for his performances last season.

Moxon returned to action for Carlisle on Saturday against Newcastle United's Under-21s at Gateshead after a minor hip injury, and was pictured training with the Blues squad yesterday.