Carlisle United boss gives update on keeper contract talks

The club and Breeze are in talks over a new contract.

Simpson recently said 20-year-old Breeze had turned down United’s initial offer.

A resolution has not been reached yet but the manager says discussions are continuing – and the young Cumbrian has stressed he wants to remain at Brunton Park.

“We’ve had conversations again, but we haven't found the middle ground yet,” Simpson said.

“We're going to keep going. He's made it clear he wants to stay – he just feels as though that he deserves a better contract than that's been offered.

“So I hope that we'll find a resolution to it.

“Because we've done everything properly. We've actually gone to him with an improved contract because he's earned the right to play in the team. It's not like he's coming knocking on the door.

“So I hope we'll find a resolution to it. But we'll just wait and see.”

Breeze, right, started four games before United brought in Harry Lewis, left (Image: Ben Holmes)

United moved to offer Breeze new terms after the academy graduate made a breakthrough into the first-team over the winter.

He made four appearances after being preferred to Tomas Holy. Carlisle went on to sign a new No1 in Bradford City’s Harry Lewis in January with Breeze reverting to a substitute role.

Simpson, meanwhile, hopes Jack Diamond will train today ahead of Saturday’s clash with Portsmouth.

Josh Emmanuel is also getting closer to a return while Jack Robinson is hoping to overcome a knock.

“We’re hopeful that [Diamond] is going to be okay to train by the end of the week and be available for Saturday,” said Simpson of the Sunderland loan winter, who suffered an ankle injury in last weekend's defeat at Leyton Orient.

“It was a contact injury. Same as Jack Robinson, they both picked up very similar injuries.

“So we are hopeful that they'll be available. We’ll see how they go.

Jack Diamond, left, hopes to make a quick return from an ankle injury (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Josh Emmanuel has had another week of training. So he's closer.”

Simpson added that Joshua Kayode’s long-awaited return to action after shoulder and calf injuries could come later this month.

“He's started to do some work on the grass. We're probably looking at the end of the month,” said Simpson.

“I really feel for JJ – as much as I'm disappointed he's not in our team, I feel for him because as a new signing [Kayode returned to United on loan last September and has made just two appearances], you want to be able to make an impact.

“And he's frustrated that he hasn't been able to make an impact, and I am as well.

“But the thing we have to do is make sure we're right with him, make sure we will look after him properly. And hopefully, come the end of the month, he should be fit and raring to go.”