Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has claimed Derby County loanee Jack Stretton's future is out of the League Two club's hands but is hopeful they can keep hold of the young striker. 

The 21-year-old joined the Cumbrian club on a season-long loan in the summer and was a regular fixture in the side before injury struck – featuring 17 times this season and finding the net twice.

Derby do have the option of recalling him in January and have had a change in the dugout since the move was originally sanctioned – with Paul Warne replacing Liam Rosenior.

Warne has recently indicated that the Rams will make their decision concerning Stretton's future next month and offered Carlisle some hope by suggesting the player will only be recalled if it is to play regularly for the League One side.

Speaking to the News&Star, Simpson has weighed in on the situation and revealed that the Blues will be powerless to influence Derby's decision but are hopeful that Stretton will be allowed to remain at the League Two club.

He said: "We don’t have a choice.

“But we’ve been really fortunate Derby have allowed us to loan him. I can’t criticise them, it’s totally their right to do that.

“They’ve got a new manager who doesn’t really know Jack.

“I think he’s in a really good place. I know he hasn’t played a lot of minutes, but he was getting minutes until he got injured, and he’s now working his way back into the team.

“I hope we can keep him. Unfortunately, it’s not in our hands and I just hope Derby look and they’ve got David McGoldrick, James Collins, Lewis Dobbin, Will Osula…a whole host of players that [means] I hope they can decide Jack can stay with us.”

Carlisle are sixth in the table after 19 games but will shift their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday as they play Walsall in the second round of the competition.

The Verdict

Given there has been a change of head coach at Derby, you can understand Simpson's concern about losing Stretton in January.

Warne may well want to run the rule over the young striker but it seems he will only recall him if he's going to play regularly, which suggests Carlisle may be able to keep him.

McGoldrick, Collins, Dobbin, and Osula have all enjoyed some impressive form under the new head coach and it's hard to see Stretton getting too much game time.

If the Rams want to boost their promotion hopes, you'd imagine they'd be better turning to the transfer or loan market and leaving the 21-year-old out on loan.