Gavin Skelton says he has “every confidence” Carlisle United will get the reinforcements they still need – despite frustrations in the market.

The Blues remain short of attacking numbers with less than two weeks until the start of the League One season.

Assistant manager Skelton says Carlisle were working tirelessly to add more players.

He said United remained in the market for permanent and loan signings.

On the shortage up front, Paul Simpson’s No2 said: “Of course – there’s no hiding behind that fact, we’re keen to add in those areas.

“We want to add bodies, we’ve made that clear, and hopefully that’ll come to fruition soon.

“Is it frustrating at times? Of course, but I have every confidence that we’ll get there.”

Simpson last week said Carlisle had made an offer for an unnamed player but there appears to be little progress on that situation.

“We’re no further forward just at the moment with that,” said Skelton.

News and Star: Gavin SkeltonGavin Skelton (Image: Barbara Abbott)

While Carlisle have made six new signings this summer, they are yet to sign any centre-forwards.

Ryan Edmondson, who has scored in successive friendlies including Saturday’s win over Newcastle United Under-21s, and Joe Garner are their only out-and-out senior frontmen.

Dan Butterworth has joined to bolster their attack while Jordan Gibson has played in a more advanced role in pre-season.

But more new faces are still required. Asked if Carlisle were pursuing permanent or loan targets, Skelton said: “Both.

“Over the last couple of years, the market’s changed in terms of things like people potentially keeping people for longer, and bigger squads…at the end of the day, everyone wants a striker that’s 6ft 7in, runs like the wind, scores 30 goals a season and is cheap!

“We definitely want three or four [new faces]. Greg [Abbott, head of recruitment] works tirelessly, and sometimes you’re frustrated for him because it’s really positive news in the morning and as the day goes on it can get more frustrating, because everyone’s looking for the same type of player.

“For some reason players seem to leave it later and later than they used to, that’s just part of it.

“I think we’ve got a good base to work from, there’s only certain areas we feel we need to add to. There’s no hiding which areas they are.

“Apart from the top end of the pitch we’re probably in a strong position.

“Everyone’s looking for the same type of player. That goes on, that search goes on, there are a lot of names…you think you’re there then hit a brick wall with it, then it’s back on. [I have] every faith it will come to fruition.”