Carlisle United are hoping for more good news on potential signings after drafting in big Preston frontman Connor Simpson on loan.

The Blues, who put their six-game winning run on the line at Northampton this weekend, are in talks with more targets.

Joint caretaker manager Paul Murray also said the Blues were continuing efforts to secure a return for Jerry Yates from Rotherham.

They are keen to bolster their squad after the recent departure of loan forwards Yates, Ashley Nadesan and Adam Campbell.

First through the door is 18-year-old Simpson, who joined on a half-season loan from the Championship.

Murray said the 6ft 5in striker, who impressed on loan at non-league side Hyde United under former Blues defender Darren Kelly, will give Carlisle a different attacking option.

“He was a youngster at Hartlepool and made a few headlines, and scored a couple in the FA Youth Cup against Carlisle,” Murray said.

“When I was at Hartlepool years ago he was mentioned in the academy.

“We know a bit about him, and with his height and his size he’s coming in to be a bit more of a target man.

“It’s another addition for us to the squad. It is another option, a Plan B, because at the minute we are playing good football and passing it really well, and long may that continue.”

Director of football David Holdsworth yesterday said United were “working to bring another one in” having been working on targets for several weeks.

They will, though, have to cope without Nadesan this weekend with Fleetwood boss Joey Barton having claimed the striker is now in first-team contention at the League One club - adding that midfielder Jack Sowerby could also be “in the same boat” when his half-season Blues loan expires later this month.

Murray said: “It’s going to be difficult - the stats prove how good Nadesan was for us, and towards the end he was in excellent form on the right.

“We’ll have to make do with what we’ve got in the squad. Jerry Yates might be back - we don’t know [yet], that one is ongoing. [A deal for] Nadesan is not dead either.

“Whoever gets an opportunity at Northampton, they have to take it.”

Murray said he and fellow caretaker Wright were discussing targets every day with Holdsworth.

On Sowerby, Nadesan and Yates, he added: “It would be fantastic if we could keep them again.

“We’re always talking about future targets. One’s come through the door and we’ll see if any more do.”

Cumbrian Murray, meanwhile, said he hopes he and Wright can continue to deliver positive results to boost their chances of staying at the helm.

Holdsworth has said their jobs are safe whatever United’s decision on a new manager or head coach.

Murray said that was “good news” for he and his fellow caretaker.

On the longer term, he added: “We’ll keep things ticking over and if Tommy and I continue to get results, who would change it? I don’t know. It’s up to us to continue to get those results and we’ll see where we’re at over the next couple of games.

“I’m absolutely fine with Tommy. We’ve got different attributes, we complement each other well, and we’re quite happy for things to continue. It’s worked well so far and I’m sure the lads have enjoyed it. But it’s down to results - we’re not naïve to think it’s not.”

Murray said United had not given the caretaker duo any timescale in which they would make a decision.

He added: “We know we’ve got the next game, we’ll take Northampton on and see where we’re at. [The decision is] for upstairs. We’ll just try to keep the momentum going and do the best for the club.”

Murray added that defender Macaulay Gillesphey “will be available for the foreseeable future” even though he requires knee surgery at some stage.