Paul Simpson says Carlisle United are still looking at permanent and loan signings in the last two weeks of the transfer window.

The Blues manager wants to add to his four January arrivals so far – with attack a continued priority area after the departure of Ryan Edmondson.

Another arrival is unlikely in time for Saturday’s trip to Cheltenham Town but Simpson says United have a range of targets.

“I'll be surprised if there's anything for Saturday. That's just where my head's at,” said Simpson on the latest state of play.

“We've loads of calls going in, loads and loads of discussions going on.

“We've identified players that we want, we go for players, we get knocked back, but we've got quite a few lists of different players and targets and it's more about finding who's available, who clubs will let go out, whether they come into the financial package that we can offer that's right for the football club.

“We're just going to keep going but I'd be surprised if anything's before Saturday.”

United have been linked with Bradford City striker Jake Young but Simpson told the News & Star this week that the Bantams were asking a “ridiculous” fee.

News and Star: Jake Young, rightJake Young, right (Image: PA)

Simpson, speaking on Tuesday night, said Carlisle "can't afford him [Young]" but, in his press conference on Thursday, revised that comment to stress that United COULD afford it – but would not pay over the odds for a player.

“What I meant to say was that the fee we’ve been quoted was very, very high and if we felt it was good business for the club we could have done something,” said Simpson.

“I didn’t feel it was good business, as much as I thought Jake Young was a good player.”

Simpson said after Tuesday's defeat to Barnsley that United have faced frustrations with some of their recent transfer efforts.

Asked if this could make them lean further towards the loan market if permanent targets prove difficult to secure before the January deadline, he said: “To be honest with you, we are looking at both [loans and permanents] because there are some players whose clubs are saying are available, who would be loans.

“We currently have Jokull Andresson, Fin Back, Terry Ablade, JJ Kayode and Sean Grehan as loans. So we have five, and you're only allowed five on the team sheet.

“I've always been a bit wary of taking an extra one because then you'll guarantee that one can't be involved.

“Now, with Jokull doing his shoulder again, we know he is going to be out for a long time. So that takes it down to four for loans who are available to play.

“So there is a space to bring another loan signing. And if we got to a point where we had six, or maybe even seven loans, because that's what we can get, then we have to just juggle that around.

“But in the ideal world, I want players here for the long run. We're trying to build a squad to be better moving forward. But if we have to get quick fixes in terms of loans, and we'll also consider that.”