Paul Simpson has confirmed he’s still in the market for another striker – but a return for JK Gordon looks unlikely.

The Blues boss says he has a loan target in mind who he hopes can further bolster Carlisle United’s attack.

But he played down the prospect of a return for Crystal Palace frontman Gordon, who spent the second half of last season with the Cumbrians.

Gordon’s Palace team-mate Luke Plange this week joined Carlisle on a half-season loan.

But on Gordon himself, Simpson said: “He’s not somebody I’m thinking about at the moment, to be perfectly honest.

“I think JK was one of those players I would describe as an 11 who can play as a 9. I want a 9 who can also play as an 11. That’s what I’m looking for, because we don’t play with wingers in the shape we generally go with.

“And also JK’s been absolutely flying with Palace’s first team.

“It’s not one I’m considering at the moment but it may be something that opens up later in the window.”

Simpson has added Plange and Sean Maguire to his attack in recent days, the duo joining Ryan Edmondson, Joe Garner and Dan Butterworth among his attacking options.

United’s boss is still, though, pursuing another finisher and has a loan player in his sights.

“I want goalscorers. We’re going to need goals, simple as that,” Simpson said.

“We lost Kristian Dennis who was a big bulk of our goals last season, and we need to replace them somehow.

News and Star: Luke Plange, right, joined the Blues this weekLuke Plange, right, joined the Blues this week (Image: PA)

“If the player who we’ve been waiting and waiting for does become available, we will try and get him in because I think he’ll be a good addition to us.”

Simpson says he spoke to his former Derby County colleague Steve McClaren and his son Joe, the Rams’ former head of recruitment, about Plange.

The 20-year-old was on Derby’s books before joining Palace.

“They both gave him really good references. But he’s a player I knew and the rest of the staff knew as well,” Simpson said.

“He’s a goalscorer, to start with. He’s somebody who can run in behind, he’s got really good dribbling ability.

“He looks like a good all-round striker, who needs a bit of love, because he’s had a bit of a tough time.

Luke Plange on joining the Blues and learning from Wayne Rooney

“He’s hit the ground running at Derby County, he’s been sold for £1m to Palace, he hasn’t had any first team opportunities at Palace, he’s had a loan out to Belgium, a loan out to Lincoln which didn’t go well, and he just needs to find a home to go and really feel comfortable.

“So far this week he’s looked comfortable, he’s coming in with a smile on his face, and he looks really bright in training. Hopefully when he gets his opportunity he goes and takes it.”

Simpson also said the way Carlisle handled Gordon last season was looked upon favourably by Palace when the Premier League club agreed to the Plange move.

“I think the work we did with JK… they realised we look after players properly and they’ve allowed us to bring Luke in.”