Paul Simpson has explained why Carlisle United will not run a regular reserve team next season.

The manager says there are various reasons why restoring the Blues to a reserve league is not on the agenda.

But Simpson did say United would continue to arrange plenty of second-string games – and also use the loan system to allow their promising young players to gain experience.

“We’re involved in the Central League Cup, [but] we’re not going to run a reserve team again next season.

“There’s all sorts of issues around that and it’s not just about finance. It’s about facilities, the travel that’s involved, and also centres around not disrupting the training week and making sure we have the right players for training sessions.

“People might consider that to be a bit selfish but that’s just the way it is. We have to make sure it’s right for the first team group.

“We’ll also try and organise bounce games where there’ll be some weeks we have five or six lads who need a game, and they can be mixed in with the second year scholars, and that’s how we’ll work it.

“Hopefully players will get a decent level of football and some competitive games to keep them up to speed.”

United have three players out on loan, with Tristan Abrahams at Grimsby Town, Manasse Mampala at Weymouth and Taylor Charters at Gateshead.

Simpson watched Charters in action on Easter Monday during Gateshead’s 2-2 draw at Chorley which secured the National League North title.

The 20-year-old west Cumbrian midfielder is out of contract this summer.

“It was my first opportunity to watch Taylor – there hasn’t been a single game since I’ve come back that’s coincided with me not having a game ourselves or being able to go across there.

“It was a really good atmosphere, really good for Gateshead to get themselves finally over the line, and it was a good standard of football.

“It was interesting to see Taylor there. He didn’t have a brilliant game in all fairness, got subbed at half time but that was more a tactical thing I think, when they were 1-0 down.

“I’m aware of Taylor and that will be a conversation we’ll have. It’s been brilliant for him to be involved in a promotion team, Mike Williamson has really looked after him over there, so we’ll have a chat and see where we go from there.”

Simpson said Charters’ experience underlines the value of United using the non-league loan system well.

“It’s massive. Really important,” he added.

“We’ve got a group of young players next season and, at this moment I don’t know, may or may not be involved in the first team.

“If they’re not it’s really important to go out. We have to keep them around in pre-season, that’s a starting point so we’ve got the right numbers here.

“Then, if we don’t feel they’re going to be pushing the first team there’s certainly the option to go and get them out on loan.”

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Taylor Charters helps Gateshead win promotion via National League North title