Huddersfield Town are being linked with rising Carlisle United star Kyle Dempsey – but face competition from neighbours Barnsley and new Championship rivals MK Dons.

Sources suggest Chris Powell has checked on the 19-year-old Cumbrian midfielder, who has already made 51 appearances and scored 11 goals for the Brunton Park side.

Dempsey, from Maryport on the North-West coast, is believed to have been a long-term target of Barnsley, who remain keen.

Powell is on the look-out for a new engine-room operator after Conor Coady’s £2m sale to Wolves, and Dempsey, rated in the £450,000 bracket, fits the profile of a potential target.

The player was left out as Carlisle played their opening pre-season friendly against Blyth Spartans on Tuesday.

He made his debut in the 3-0 home League I win over MK Dons in January 2014, and played four times that campaign.

10 midfielders Chris Powell could target to replace Conor Coady

Dempsey’s first goal came in last season’s 2-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Accrington Stanley.

He bagged a double in the follow-up 4-4 home League II draw with AFC Wimbledon.

Carlisle manager Keith Curle has revealed there is a buy-out clause in Dempsey’s contract, which runs until 2016, and said there had been interest from a number of clubs.

Curle has converted him from a wideman to a central midfielder and said: “People who watch him play will know he is a very competitive player with great ability.

“He has a great attitude and simplicity about his approach to the game.”