Moxon should expect a 'good reception' upon his Brunton Park return

The 26-year-old, who played a pivotal role in Carlisle's promotion to League One via the playoffs last campaign, will step out of Brunton Park as a Portsmouth player this weekend after completing a deadline-day switch to John Mousinho's Pompey.

Moxon was included in the EFL's League Two Team of the Year for his contributions to the Blues' historic campaign and was named player of the match as Simpson's side clinched promotion at Wembley, with the Blues' boss dispelling any ideas of disloyalty from the Denton Holme native.

He said: "I don't think Owen Moxon owes us anything. He is a footballer who has seen an opportunity to go and, what he believes, better himself, and we have to respect that.

"He has honoured his contract up until this point, he chose not to sign a new contract which is perfectly within his rights to do.

"He was really, really good for us and was a major part of getting us promoted last season so we are all thankful for that."

Simpson also discussed his disappointment with the midfielder's decision to depart but confessed that the opportunity to move to seemingly Championship-bound Portsmouth may have been too good to turn down.

"I would have liked it if he could have stayed here long-term and been a part of what we hope will be a successful future for Carlisle but he is in a position where has the opportunity to play for a club who are aspiring to be a Championship side."

Whilst Simpson was vocal in his wish for the former Blues' favourite to have no impact on Pompey's visit to Brunton Park, he did encourage fans to remember the contribution he made to Carlisle's recent successes

"I'll be honest, I hope he has no effect on this game on Saturday afternoon and we can get a result.

"I am not going to tell our fans to do anything at all, I wouldn't dream of doing that, but I would expect that at the end, the ones who know what Owen Moxon did will give him a good reception."