Simpson on potential loan moves for Carlisle United players

The Blues boss says he has fielded enquiries about some of his young squad hopefuls.

And he will soon make a call on the best moves for such players with the new season fast approaching.

Simpson said a priority with any such moves will be for the development of the players concerned.

Carlisle saw a number of their young players head out on loan last term with Max Kilsby at Annan Athletic and Kai Nugent at Workington Reds two real success stories.

Max Kilsby impressed on loan at Annan last season (Image: Joe Saunders)

Asked if the time was approaching to sanction similar moves, manager Simpson said: “Possibly. Yes, we might do.

“There have been enquiries for a couple of them so far, but nothing definite.

“And I also wanted to keep the whole group together for pre-season just so we could have a real good look at them.

“So we'll see what comes this week.

“If we feel as though there's anybody who we can afford to let go – I don't mean afford financially, but afford to let them go so that we don't leave ourselves short – then I'll certainly consider that.

“But it will be a case of letting them go for their development, not to just get them out of the building.”

Kai Nugent, top, helped Workington to promotion last season (Image: Ben Challis)

Young defender Kilsby shone in Annan’s promotion-winning Scottish League Two season last term, spending the full campaign with Peter Murphy’s side.

Nugent spent the latter stages of 2022/23 with Danny Grainger’s Workington, the young midfielder playing a key part in their promotion from NPL West.

Lewis Bell went on loan to Gretna 2008 during the season while Gabe Breeze had a short-lived spell with Widnes.

Young goalkeeper Breeze is among the young players who could be seen as a candidate for another loan move this term to hand him important first-team experience.