Carlisle United boss declares his faith in Ryan Edmondson

The Blues boss was critical of the striker after Tuesday’s cup defeat at Harrogate Town.

But, speaking ahead of today’s clash with Oxford United (Kassam Stadium, 3pm), Simpson reaffirmed his belief in the former Leeds United frontman.

Simpson on Tuesday said Edmondson was spending too much time in wide positions instead of central areas.

He said the 22-year-old can be more effective down the middle.

“He’s played a lot of games out wide. That’s probably the problem, so he keeps getting drawn into wide areas,” Simpson said.

“Looking back at the game again, Sean Maguire was coming quite narrow as well, he kept making some really good sharp runs down the middle, so Edmo must have felt there was space out there.

LISTEN: Simmo on Oxford, transfers, American investor and more

“I think when he plays as a 9, a focal point, it shows he can be really effective. We’ve just got to get him into that mindset.

“There’s things he needs to work on but we have to remember he’s still a young player in age and experience.

“Sadly we all want the finished article straight away, and I do as well.

“We’ve just got to keep working, keep talking to him, keep encouraging him and hope the penny drops and he performs to the level we all want

“ He’s quick, he’s got a fantastic work ethic, he wants to do things right, he’s got goals in him.

“I do believe he’ll come good, we’ve just got to make sure he comes good for us.”

Edmondson and United are targeting victory in their first away League One game this afternoon.

Simpson will have Paul Huntington and Fin Back available after they were rested in midweek, while Carlisle’s main fitness issue concerns Owen Moxon after a dead leg and a sickness bug.

Sean Maguire is getting closer to being ready to start games, Simpson says (Image: Barbara Abbott)

United’s manager has called on his side to show more quality in the attacking third.

And one man intended to improve their threat in that department is summer signing Sean Maguire, who has made two substitute cameos since joining the Cumbrians.

Asked if Maguire is nearer to being ready to start games, Simpson said: “He’s getting close. Whether [today] is too early we have to wait and see.

“Over this month we’ve got Wigan then Exeter, and we’ve also got a couple of reserve games [for players to] get minutes in.

“If he hasn’t got them in in the first-team games or enough to get starts, we’ve got a friendly at Blackburn and then we’re trying to get a Central League Cup game against Wigan at the end of this month.”