GARY Liddle could be on his way to Carlisle.

Keith Curle, who signed Liddle in 2012 when he was Notts County boss, is keen to take the City midfielder to Cumbria on a permanent deal.

The League Two club have already made one approach for the 29-year-old, who was left out of the squad by Phil Parkinson for Saturday’s win over Oldham.

Curle said: “Gary Liddle’s a player that I’ve worked with before. He’s got excellent attributes so we’ve made an enquiry.

“Gary hasn’t been playing the game time (he would like). I’ve spoken to their manager, John (Nixon, Carlisle’s director of external affairs) has spoken to the football club and we’ve made an offer.

“The initial approach was turned down. The ball’s back in our court to get a valuation for a player we know is out of contract in the summer.”

Liddle has played 75 games and scored four goals since joining City before the start of last season. But he has been in and out the team this term since the arrival of Wolves loanee Lee Evans.

Parkinson has tended to play Billy Knott in central midfield with Evans for home games – although he was on the bench at the weekend as Chris Routis was given the holding role.

Carlisle already have Jason Kennedy, one former Bantam, in their ranks and Curle now hopes to persuade Parkinson to do business over another.

He added: “Ultimately, we’ve not been given permission for me to speak to the player.

“We need the powers-that-be to do their work and gain the permission.

“There’s not really a transfer market in League Two, especially for a player that’s coming out of contract in the summer.

“I’ve approached them because I think he’s a player that adds certain qualities that I deem necessary in the squad.

“I’ve got a valuation in my mind that I’ve given John to work with. We’re both of the understanding that we know what we want but there’s a price.

“At the minute, we haven’t exhausted our approach but we’re very close to it.”

Liddle still lives in the north-east and with a 17-month-old daughter at home, a move to a club closer to his roots may appeal.

Parkinson revealed there had been interest in him after the Oldham game but declined to name the team involved.

He said: “We’ll have to think about that. But we don’t have to let anyone go at all.”

Reece Burke could return to City training today after signing a new loan deal for the rest of the season.

But the West Ham defender, who has had a splint fitted by his parent club to protect his wrist following the recent injury, cannot play against Bury tomorrow night.

He was not available for the original FA Cup tie and is therefore not eligible to appear in the replay.

But Parkinson is delighted to have secured his services again despite fierce competition from Coventry and two Championship clubs.

The City chief said: “Reece has been terrific for us and he just adds more competition to the back four.

“We’ve had to work hard to get him. But to be fair to Reece and his mum and dad, whenever I’ve spoken them he’s always been determined to come back.

“There’s no question he would have signed the Monday after the Gillingham game. But West Ham were obviously concerned with the initial injury and just wanted to make sure he was 100 per cent right.”