Paul Simpson says Carlisle United hope to confirm some transfer business this week.

But the Blues boss is remaining tight-lipped on the identity of targets amid strong rumours linking Luke Armstrong with Brunton Park.

The Harrogate Town striker is the subject of growing speculation regarding a move to Brunton Park.

Further rumours have connected Wigan Athletic’s ex-Carlisle striker Charlie Wyke with a United return.

Simpson said he was aware of the speculation on both but would not be drawn on the substance of either.

United’s manager, speaking after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Northampton Town, said people working at Brunton Park this week have been sharing rumours with him.

Asked by the News & Star about Armstrong and Wyke, Simpson added: “Those are the two names that the builders talked to me about [this] week, and I’m like, ‘I don’t know where you’ve heard it from…’

“I can’t say anything at the moment – but listen, if we could get both of those players in the club I’m sure they would make us a better group…

“Let’s wait and see.”

Armstrong, who saw a summer deadline-day move to Wrexham fall through at the last minute, was not in Harrogate's squad for their 3-1 League Two win over Notts County, while Wyke came off the bench to score in Wigan's 3-2 loss at Port Vale in League One.

News and Star: Charlie WykeCharlie Wyke (Image: PA)

Simpson in the summer said Harrogate wanted £500,000 for the 27-year-old ex-Middlesbrough, Accrington Stanley, Hartlepool United and Salford City marksman Armstrong which, coupled with wage demands, put him out of the Blues' financial reach. 

Now backed by new owners the Piatak family - Tom snr and Patty were at Brunton Park for the Northampton game - Carlisle are set for a major period of recruitment to try and boost their League One survival bid.

Armstrong has scored just once in 15 appearances this season having early in the campaign been withdrawn from the Harrogate squad during Wrexham's attempt to sign him, which was rejected by the EFL because of the late filing of paperwork after the summer transfer deadline.

He hit 16 goals for Harrogate last season and was also linked with MK Dons in the summer.

Simpson wants players through the door at the earliest possible opportunity and the signs are that something could be confirmed in the coming days.

“I am hoping we’ll be able to say something this week,” he added.

“Obviously they can’t play for us until January but we are hopeful that we can say something.

“There’s a few little bits that need tidying up [before we can confirm anything], but we’re trying to strengthen.

“There’s so much work going on to try and bring players in. In the ideal world I want them in, registered and everything [done] for January 1 so they’re available for Exeter away [on January 6].

“We need some help in the group. That’s not me being disrespectful in any way [to the current players].

“We need to get a group that can really go and compete over what will be the last 21 games and [we need] a good enough group so we can go and do what we want to do.”