Hallam Hope says he is “100 per cent” committed to Carlisle United after a summer transfer saga which the forward admits was a distraction.

Hope, in the squad to face Oldham tomorrow, was the subject of interest from rival clubs for most of the summer as his Blues future seemed in the balance.

He remained, though, a United player at the end of the transfer window and this week captained the side and scored his first goal of the season.

The 25-year-old admits he needs to win some fans back over after having been open to leaving the club, but says he will let his football do the talking.

Hope said: “I’m 100 per cent focused and committed to Carlisle and looking forward to getting the results we know we should be getting.

“It’s been hard and confusing where [my future has] been up in the air.

“It never meant I wanted to be away from Carlisle. I like Carlisle; I’ve been here over two years and enjoyed my time here and I love everyone around the club.

“I’ve got good relationships with the lads and the staff, and the club means a lot to me. Every player’s ambition is to play as high as they possibly can, but I’m here and I’m going to help the team however I can.”

Some supporters cheered when Hope was substituted in games last month with some questioning his commitment to the club in light of the summer’s events.

The striker, though, says he will always give his all for United. Asked if he believes he needed to win some fans over, he said: “I’d probably agree with that, which is fine, and I’ll do that on the pitch with my performances.

“I’m focused on being here and I’ll always give my all for this team because I’ve got too much respect for the players, team-mates and staff not to.

“I had good conversations over the summer with the manager and I always made it clear to him that if I stayed I’d still continue to give my all, and it wouldn’t change that.”

Hope says a pre-season injury also hindered his efforts early in the campaign and the 25-year-old is yet to reclaim a regular starting place in Steven Pressley’s side.

The manager, though, handed the ex-Bury man the armband in Tuesday’s Leasing.com Trophy defeat to Wolves’ under-21s, with Hope scoring United’s first goal in the 4-2 reverse.

“That [the captaincy] was a first in my professional career and I enjoyed it,” he said. “I always try and perform and lead by example. We’ve got a lot of promising young players here and the game was a good learning curve for them.

“I was buzzing to get some minutes and glad to get a goal. I’ve only made one league start this season, so it was good to get some minutes. It’s been frustrating not to be starting every week but that’s obviously the manager’s choice.

“I’ve just got to work hard in training and try and get back in the team.”

Pressley made eight changes for the Wolves game and Adam Collin, Byron Webster, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Mike Jones, Mo Sagaf, Nathan Thomas, Harry McKirdy and Olufela Olomola could all be recalled for 18th-placed United to face Oldham, who are 20th under new manager Dino Maamria. Jack Bridge is suspended.

United are hoping to end a five game winless home run. Hope added: “We know we need to improve our home form. I don’t think we’re doing much wrong because the performances have kind of been there. We need to be more effective in both boxes, and if we do that we’ll get the results we want.

“You can see good things every time we play. We move the ball well, we’re a danger, but it will come.

“We want three points from the Oldham game, nothing else.”