Speculation in recent weeks has linked the 20-year-old, who signed a four-year-deal with the Cumbrians after joining from Blackburn for £140,000 last summer, with a summer move to Championship new boys Nottingham Forest.

But, after revealing details of a £1.14 million release clause and a 50% sell-on fee to the player's former club, a statement on the club's website announced the Blues would be set to make just £590,000 from a potential transfer.

"We have always wanted to keep Joe. He is extremely popular with our fans and everyone at the club and of course, he is also a great young player with tremendous potential," chief executive Dave Allen told the club's official website.

"There is nothing we can do to stop Nottingham Forest, or any other club for that matter, speaking to Joe once they have reached the £1.14 million trigger.

"Our relationships with Forest and with Joe remain good but I would like to stress that it was not Carlisle United who informed Forest of the £1.14 million trigger. As I say, we have always wanted to keep Joe as a Carlisle United player."