Carlisle United have made Middlesbrough defender Jack Robinson their first signing of the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old has joined the Blues on a half-season loan - with a view to a permanent deal.

Paul Simpson has moved for left-sided Robinson to bolster his options at the back.

He will compete for a role on the left where Jon Mellish currently holds the central defensive position and Jack Armer the wing-back role.

Versatile Robinson has made one senior appearance for Boro, where he came through the academy, whilst he was on loan at Yeovil Town last season.

He will be hoping to be involved with the Blues for the first time when they return to League Two action at home to Newport County on Saturday week.

Manager Simpson, speaking on United's website, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got Jack over the line.

"He’s a player we’ve been looking at over the last month or two because we wanted to get cover in on that left side.

“He can cover for us at wing-back and centre-back on that side of the pitch and that’s good for us.

“It’s his second loan, with him being out at Yeovil, and he has a very good pedigree about him.

“He was actually a player I was looking at for the [England] under-19 age group when I was with the FA, so I know all about him. I’m looking forward to getting started with him.”

Simpson was keen to bring in left-sided defensive cover after Duncan Idehen's recent return to Bristol City.

He added: "I like the way Middlesbrough bring players through, they’ve always got something about them.

“I’m hoping it goes really well because it’s a loan with a view to permanent deal if everything is right.

"He’s hungry, he’s determined to do well and, as I say, I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Robinson is expected to be the first of a number of January signings as Simpson looks to bolster his squad for the second half of the season.