Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson: Why I still want to bolster squad

Simpson, whose squad are playing a training game in Scotland today, said the Blues need more options for the rigours of a 46-game league season.

While the Blues boss hopes to welcome back some players from injury soon – Omari Patrick is hoped to be fit for the start of the campaign – Simpson feels further fresh blood is needed.

“We’ve got people like Taylor [Charters] and Omari still to come back in, and hopefully we’ll have a few more additions to the squad as well,” Simpson said.

READ MORE: Carlisle United fans salute the pre-season win over Bolton Wanderers

“I think I’m right in saying we’ve probably got 15 or 16 senior players in the group, and that isn’t enough for 46 league games and the cup games.

“We need to keep looking to strengthen and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Simpson said United’s scouts were on the road on Saturday watching games on a day the Blues were putting together an encouraging pre-season performance and victory against Bolton Wanderers.

Simpson used the game to focus closer on the senior players who are likely to start the campaign.

That meant some of the young players who have been given chances in earlier friendlies did not feature.

They could remain close to things, though, until the Blues bolster their squad further.

Speaking after the Bolton game, Simpson said: “We’ve got people out on the road watching games, looking at players who we have our eye on, trying to see if there’s any others we can nick from clubs, and we’ll keep doing it until the window closes.

“Once that closes on September 1 we’ll then be able to properly get to work to have a plan in place, which we weren’t able to do for this transfer window.

United are taking on an as-yet-unnamed Scottish side in a training game north of the border

“Hopefully we’ll have a better structured plan going into January and then the following summer, and fingers crossed I’m still part of it in January and next summer…”

Simpson recently spoke of his frustration at missing out on certain targets.

But he said United cannot afford to dwell on disappointments as they continue building their squad for the big kick-off on Saturday week.

“I could always say that I wanted even more players in, but there’s no point in me worrying about that side of things,” he said.

“If I haven’t got players I went for, that’s just how it is. Worrying about that doesn’t count for anything.

“I’m pleased with where we are but I know we need to be in an even better place come the Crawley game.”

United have yet to give any details of the Scottish opposition they are facing today, during a training camp in Largs.

Asked if he would name Carlisle’s opponents ahead of the game, the manager said: “No, I’m keeping it to myself.

“It’s going to be a competitive game, another step up from [the Bolton] one.

“And I’m hoping we go and apply ourselves like we have done in the Morton game [last week] and also against Bolton, and we keep stretching the players.”