Chris Beech says any replacement for Aaron Hayden at Carlisle United must fit into the squad culture he has created at Brunton Park.

The Blues are expected to pursue another centre-half after Hayden’s sale to Wrexham this week.

Carlisle have 19 days left in the transfer window to bolster their squad.

Beech said he would like to have another central defender in his ranks but it had to be the “right person”.

He said: “If you think about this time last year you had Aaron Hayden, Rod McDonald and Max Hunt.

“We’ve now got Corey Whelan, Rod McDonald and Morgan Feeney who got through the [Sheffield United] game, which is great.

“We’ve got three centre-halves. It would be great to have another one before deadline day passes.

“But I’ve got a very adaptable, hard-working, honest squad which you could see [at Sheffield United], and you’ve seen in pre-season.

“We’ve got people who can play there so we’ll see what happens.

“They’ve got to fit us, they’ve got to be the right people.”

Beech highlighted the turnover of personnel since he had taken charge in late 2019 – and the positive impact he said they have had.

“We’ve got some great people haven’t we?” he added. “It’s food for thought since I’ve come in, because it’s very difficult doing this sometimes.

“There’s only Gavin Skelton and Jon Mellish still here since I came through the door – that’s staff and players.

“I’ll have to try and keep finding answers but I definitely want to make us stronger and compete like we do.”