Carlisle manager Keith Curle has calmed talk about Norwich City legend Grant Holt signing for his hometown club.

The Canaries legend is without a club after coming to a mutual agreement with Wigan Athletic to end his contract six months early at the end of January.

Rumours of the 34-year-old signing for the League Two club had spread among supporters but Curle admits a deal is unlikely.

'I only just found out he has moved back to Norwich. It's a long way from Carlisle,' Curle told Cumbrian newspaper News & Star.

'I think he's shown his intentions by moving there with his family. (But) you never say never.'

The centre-forward scored 78 goals across four seasons to propel City to the Premier League but was unable to reproduce that magic with Wigan, making five appearances this season without scoring a goal.

Holt joined Wigan from Norwich in a deal worth around £2miliion in the summer of 2013 but spent time out on loan with Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town – where he suffered a serious knee injury midway through last season – and Wolves.