Carlisle United boss confirms stance on striker 'target'

Reports recently said United were keen on bringing in their former loanee from Fleetwood Town.

But Simpson said Carlisle are focusing on a more physical centre-forward in their remaining transfer window efforts.

Asked if there was any truth in the Marriott speculation, Simpson told the News & Star: “It’s not one that we're in for at all.

“I don't know what the situation is with him but we’re looking to try and get somebody who’s going to be a physical presence out there, and that's not the mould of a Jack Marriott.

“Whether we get them remains to be seen, but we're going to do everything we can before the deadline to try and get them.”

Another frontman is Simpson’s priority before Thursday’s deadline, as United make their last efforts to pep up their attack for the relegation battle.

“There’s probably a couple that we've got our eye on that we've we're having discussions around,” added the Carlisle boss, speaking after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

“They're not close at the moment. But we’ve certainly got our hat in the ring and we're hoping to expect decisions early this week.

“It's clear we need someone else, we need another striker – you need somebody who can take the load off Luke Armstrong, somebody who has got an instinct for scoring goals.

Simpson says United need more attacking support for Luke Armstrong (Image: Ben Holmes)

“Because the record that we've got in scoring goals this season isn't good enough.”

One player who certainly won’t be joining Carlisle this month is Jake Young.

The Bradford City striker had been the subject of interest from United until Simpson said his club were asking a “ridiculous” fee.

Young came off the bench for the Bantams in their League Two defeat against his former loan club Swindon Town yesterday – meaning he could not play for a third club in the league this season.

It ends a situation which has seen both clubs trade comments – and Simpson has now moved to build bridges with Bradford.

United’s boss was criticised by the Bantams for talking about Young, with their chief executive even suggesting the EFL should look at his remarks.

“To be honest with you I probably owe Bradford an apology because I probably spoke out of turn,” Simpson said.

Jake Young, left, will not be joining United after playing for Bradford yesterday - while Paul Simpson has moved to build bridges with Bradford and their chief executive Ryan Sparks, right (Image: PA)

“I don't like getting into spats with clubs. I made a comment to [the News & Star] the other day about Bradford with the Football League stuff, and nothing's come from that.

“But in all fairness to their chief exec Ryan Sparks, he did apologise for the abuse I got [from some of their fans last season] so I probably spoke in the heat of the moment at Barnsley about it and probably shouldn't have done so.

“I apologise for that to Bradford.

“But listen – Jake Young wasn't coming here. It was something that I didn't think was the right business for us but the fact he’s playing for Bradford puts it out of our heads anyway, which we had done - we've moved on.

“So there are other targets that we've got to hope can come in.”