Paul Simpson hopes to make a SEVENTH signing as Carlisle United’s transfer work continues apace.

After making Jack Diamond and Josh Vela the fifth and sixth arrivals of the transfer window, a further January recruit remains in United's sights.

And the signs are that another attacking player is on Simpson's list.

"I think we’ll just be looking at one more, if we can [before the deadline] then the challenge will come that we need to start moving some players out," the manager said.

Simpson confirmed that he remains keen to add another attacking player.

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“That’s one of the areas we are looking,” he added.

“That’s not an easy one to get. We’ve been trying and trying for weeks.

“Jack Diamond gives us one forward option but we need another one. We’re working, trying to do the right things.”

Diamond will be in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Bolton Wanderers, with Simpson closely assessing the Sunderland loan winger to judge whether he is ready to start.

Vela is also available to make his debut against his former club.

Simpson, meanwhile, said he remained open-minded to permanent or loan deals despite United now having six loanees in their squad.

Clubs can only name five in a matchday squad but one of United’s six, keeper Jokull Andresson, is out injured. Simpson said if a loan deal was the best option he would accept the challenge of juggling his loan numbers between now and the end of the campaign.

On Carlisle’s recruitment efforts with a week left in the window, the manager added: “The work probably won’t be finished until deadline day but that’s the nature of it.

News and Star: There could be more ins and outs before the transfer deadlineThere could be more ins and outs before the transfer deadline (Image: Richard Parkes)

“It’s been a mad week trying to do deals but we’re in a position where I’m happy with the players we’ve brought in so far.

“If we can just get the extra couple to strengthen us further and get those better options then we’ll try to do that.”

Simpson said he had received “tentative enquiries” for members of his squad.

Some players, he said, would be willing to leave in the right circumstances.

“There have been a few discussions where they are saying, ‘If something does come up, and it's right, then yes, I would be interested in going’.

“Most of them want to play first-team football. And if they think that they're not going to get an opportunity here, then then they're going to want to try and test themselves.

“There's nothing imminent on that. So we're just going to have to wait and see. Today we’ve had 25 outfield players training and in my opinion that’s too many.

“We need to start trimming the squad a little bit – not for financial reasons but I don’t think that creates the right atmosphere when you’ve got that many.

“Thankfully I've not been involved in it as much, but it just goes crazy up until the last few days of the window,” added Simpson of the closing stages of the window.

“So it may be that way for us and we're just going to have to bunker down in the offices [on deadline day] and get ready for it.”