Paul Simpson has stressed that midfield needs to be a priority area in Carlisle United’s summer recruitment.

The Blues manager says United have been short in the middle of the park recently – particularly after injuries to key men.

Simmo, who has led the Cumbrians to survival and is in talks about his longer-term future, has used various options in midfield since taking charge.

And he believes it is something the club must tackle when reshaping their squad for the 2022/23 season.

The manager recently fielded Jon Mellish in midfield before moving him back into defence against Mansfield on Easter Monday.

“It was a case of trying to pick a team that has done really well – freshening it up but going with what we know,” he said.

“It’s no slant on Rod [McDonald, the defender dropped on Monday], but Mells has done really well there.

News and Star: Jon Mellish in action against Mansfield Jon Mellish in action against Mansfield

“I felt bad moving him [into midfield earlier], but we had a little bit of an issue in midfield by losing Jamie Devitt and Callum Guy, and I needed to do something just to address that midfield area.

“It’s an area we are short in, no doubt about that. That is going to be a recruitment issue to make sure we get players into midfield.”

Mellish has performed in a host of positions during his time at Brunton Park, arriving from Gateshead as a defender but being converted into a midfielder by Chris Beech.

After firing 16 goals last season, he started this campaign in the middle and was later used in attack by Keith Millen, before Simpson switched him into a three-man centre-back line.

The 24-year-old again put in a strong display against Mansfield Town in Monday’s 1-0 win.

“I was really pleased with Mells today,” added Simpson after the game.

“I wanted our outside centre backs to step in and be positive in their football, and him and Dynel [Simeu] did it well.”

READ MORE: 'Honestly, it's a miracle' - fans salute Paul Simpson after Carlisle United survival