Carlisle United boss on next signing and Joe Garner rumours

But the Blues boss has not been drawn on persistent rumours linking striker Joe Garner with a return to Brunton Park.

Simpson – who has already brought in John-Kymani Gordon, Alfie McCalmont and Jack Robinson this month – would not comment on speculation on individual names at his press conference this afternoon.

But he confirmed that a possible deal for a player was hopefully in the process of being finalised, though that is unlikely to happen before Saturday’s clash with Newport County.

On the next potential signing, Simpson said he was hoping it would come to fruition after the weekend and said: “I’ve left Greg [Abbott, head of recruitment] with the challenge of trying to get it all finalised for us.

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“Once I know it’s a goer I’ll start picking it up.

“I’ve told him I’m not going to concern myself with it today. My only priority is players who can play for us on Saturday. We’ve done our final training session, so I won’t be getting involved in any talks about signing players because my head’s on doing it properly against Newport.”

Simpson confirmed he wanted "one or two" more players and said that one particular target was firmly in his sights, adding: “I thought I was close yesterday morning, then by yesterday night it wasn’t very close. I’m led to believe we might be close again today.

“Until the players are in the building and signing, I don’t trust anything. I’ll keep my fingers crossed, keep working away.

“I keep badgering the life out of Greg, making sure we’re getting further down the line. As soon as we know I promise you’ll be knowing about it.”

Simpson would not be drawn on any United interest in Fleetwood Town striker Garner, who has been the subject of continued speculation about returning for a third Carlisle spell.

Joe Garner (Image: News & Star)

Asked directly about Garner by BBC Radio Cumbria at his press conference, the Blues boss said: “It’s funny this…I ducked out of doing media last week, and I’d made a decision to not talk about any individual player, because I realised – I think it was at the Doncaster game – I’d said too much about players, I let my mouth go crazy.

“I’m not going to make any comment. We’re trying to bring in players who are going to strengthen the group.

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“We’re trying young ones, experienced ones, a few different areas we are looking at, and we’ve got one area in particular we want to strengthen.

“I promise as soon as I’ve got something I can tell you, I will. At the moment I’m not going to be giving anything away.”

Simpson said United were clear about the position they want to strengthen next, but again was coy on the details.

“We know what we want but again, it would be disrespectful of me to the lads already here if I start naming positions,” he added.

“When the signings are made it will become clear, and hopefully over the next week or two that will become clear to everybody else.”