Carlisle United manager confirms Jayden Harris decision

The Blues midfielder is currently out on loan at National League club Eastleigh.

Injury-hit United have the ability to recall Harris now the first 28 days of his loan are up.

But manager Simpson said he won’t be doing that – and is happy for Harris to continue getting first-team football in Hampshire.

Injuries to key midfielders such as Callum Guy led to the question of whether Simpson would consider bringing back 24-year-old Harris.

But the manager told the News & Star: “I’m happy for him to stay out.

“I made a decision that he needed to go and have a change of scenery to try and get a run of games.

“He’s had a little bit of a difficult time because he got sent off for two yellow cards, he missed a game, then didn’t get straight back in – he got on after about 30-odd minutes last Saturday then he played some part on Tuesday as well.

Harris is on loan with Eastleigh until mid-January (Image: PA)

“I spoke to Richard Hill [on Thursday] morning to have an update on how he’s doing, and he’s really happy with him.

“I’m going to leave him there. I don’t see Jayden coming into our group at the moment – the way he was before he left, I don’t see him coming in and improving it, so it would be a case of bringing him in and sticking him on the bench – at this moment in time I don’t see the need to do that.”

Harris, who is midway through a three-year deal with the Cumbrians, has so far made six appearances for Eastleigh, including three starts and two sub appearances in the league.

He has the opportunity for further involvement this Saturday when the 11th-placed Spitfires take on leaders Chesterfield, where Harris's midfield opponents will include former United man Mike Jones.

Harris is also available for Eastleigh in the FA Cup, with the fifth-tier side taking on League One outfit Reading in the second round on Sunday week.