Carlisle boss refuses to be drawn on fresh speculation linking Blackpool midfielder Jamie Devitt with a return to Brunton Park

It comes after Pool head coach Neil Critchley told The Gazette the 30-year-old has a few weeks to “sort out” his future.

Devitt, who played for Carlisle between 2016 and 2019, was not involved for the Seasiders during Saturday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke City.

Further speculation was also fuelled last week when the midfielder, who has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Seasiders, wasn’t given a squad number, the only Blackpool player not to be given one.

He has since changed his Twitter profile picture to one from his time wearing the captain’s armband for Carlisle.

Clubs in the EFL have until October 16 to complete their transfer deals and Pool will be hoping to move on the midfielder to free up space - and his wage - to bring in further reinforcements.

Carlisle boss Beech says Devitt, who has also been linked with Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers, played down the speculation.

“How can I discuss another club’s player?” he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

“He’s a Blackpool player, he’s got a year left [on his contract there], he got heavily looked-after financially when he left this club and that’s where he is.

“I don’t know about anybody changing any profile pics or Whatsapp status pictures, or whatever they get up to on Tinder…”

The Bolton News recently claimed the Trotters had taken an interest in Devitt earlier in the summer but have since moved onto other options.

When asked about Devitt’s situation following Saturday’s cup tie at Stoke, Critchley said: “Jamie knows the situation, he’s been spoken to about it.

“He has a few weeks to sort out that situation, so we will wait and remain patient and see what happens.”