Carlisle United manager Graham Kavanagh has revealed that the club have failed in a bid to sign former England international Emile Heskey.
The 36-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Australian side Newcastle Jets earlier this year.
However, he will not be reunited with his former Wigan Athletic teammate Kavanagh, who believes that the striker has set his sights on playing at a higher level than League Two.
"I tried to get Emile in. I played with him at Wigan and I know what he is all about," he told News & Star Sport "Unfortunately he turned it down as I think he wants to be playing in the Championship or going back abroad."
Heskey, who made 62 appearances for England, started his career with Leicester City before having stints with Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan, Aston Villa and the Jets.