Paul Simpson believes Jack Diamond is “in a good place” as he resumes his career with Carlisle United.

The Sunderland winger joined the Blues on loan yesterday and is set to be involved in the squad to face Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

Diamond returns to football with United having not played since last March.

That followed the 24-year-old being charged with rape and sexual assault – charges of which he was cleared by a jury earlier this month.

United manager Simpson said he had not discussed the events of recent months in detail with Diamond.

“I’ll be honest with you, I haven't. I've talked about the football,” said Simpson.

“I've talked about where his head's at in terms of his career and his life. And he's in a really good place at the moment.

“He’s gone through a real tough time.

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“I wasn't there at the at the court case. I don't know the circumstances. All I know was the verdict that came out at the end.

“And you have to trust that the all of the admin staff in the football club discussed the situation; my [conversations were] about football, and I am really confident that we've got a very good footballer who can come and help us.”

Diamond has impressed in past meetings with United, such as his two-goal display for Harrogate Town against Simpson’s side in April 2022.

News and Star: Diamond impressed in past Harrogate meetings against UnitedDiamond impressed in past Harrogate meetings against United (Image: PA)

That was the kind of performance that underlined his ability to the Carlisle boss.

“That [game] and many others to be honest,” said Simpson.

“He’s a talented player. He's got real ability about him. The conversations I've had with him, he seems a really positive character, really humble sort of guy who wants to come in and wants to get his football career back going again, and wants to try and help Carlisle United out of trouble.”

Simpson said he will assess Diamond closely today to judge whether he is fit to start or more suited to a role on the bench initially.

“He got through [Thursday’s] session fine,” added Simpson.

“And you can see the quality that he's got.

“I'm quite sure he'll be breathing heavy, and probably even be a little bit sore after it. I haven't seen what sort of distances he's covered in it or anything like that.

“But I just think he's a real dynamic player who works in short bursts. And if we can be sure that he's going to be right, then he’ll start, and if we're not sure that he's right to start, then he could be on the bench and be as impactful as possible from that bench.”

Simpson, meanwhile, said the possibility of a permanent move for Diamond was not yet on the table.

“That hasn't been discussed yet, because he's under contract to Sunderland and they have a year’s option on him,” said the Blues boss.

“So that will be Sunderland’s decision. They realised that he needed to get out and play some football and he's been back in training with them for the last few weeks doing the testing and the football work, and the testing results have all come back really positive.

“Sunderland have been fantastic with us in sending all of the info over so we know where he's at physically.

“They've supported him, we'll do everything we can to support him with his football and, and hopefully it'll be okay for us.”

Diamond will be reunited with his former Harrogate team-mate Luke Armstrong at Brunton Park, and Simpson hopes he can add fresh quality to United’s attack.

“I just look at trying to get creative players into the football club. And creative players who will do the other side of it as well, because we are a team who are not dominating possession,” he said.

“So we can't just have that sort of flair, maverick player who doesn't do the other side of it – you have to do both. And Jack certainly does do that.”

After landing Diamond, Simpson took his January signings tally to six with the arrival of Fleetwood Town midfielder Josh Vela, and United's manager is keep to add a seventh new face before the transfer deadline.

Carlisle’s boss hopes his business so far has raised the overall quality of the squad, which lies ten points adrift of safety in League One with 18 games to go.

“The truth of it is we needed to do that,” he said.

“The league table doesn't tell lies and the group we’ve had have had enough games to show that they can do it.

“So we've had to change it, simple as that. And we're just hoping that these changes are going to help us to work to get some results.”