Carlisle United: Sunderland's Jack Diamond in 'good signs'

The Sunderland loanee impressed in the 1-0 win at Burton Albion and will line up against Reading at Brunton Park tomorrow.

Diamond, on Tuesday, showed evidence that he is regaining some early form after missing nearly a year of football as he successfully fought a rape charge.

The 24-year-old came close to scoring on Tuesday and gave his most substantial performance so far in a United shirt, Simpson felt.

“Consistent is the word,” said the Blues manager.

“I think he's shown flashes of it. But over the time that he was on the pitch on Tuesday I thought he was consistently a threat.

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“He showed some real good touches on a horrible playing surface as well.

“So let's hope that's the start of him getting even better, because he's a really good personality, a good character to have around.

Diamond twice came close to scoring on Tuesday (Image: Richard Parkes)

“He's settled into the club. I think having that friendship and knowing Luke Armstrong from before [at Harrogate Town] has helped him.

“But he's the type of character that I like to have in the club.”

Diamond has made six appearances so far for the Cumbrians since joining on loan in January.

Asked how far the creative player may be from his peak at this stage, Simpson said: “It’s hard to say. I don't know what Jack Diamond’s peak is but I thought the other night, he certainly showed enough to say that he deserves to be playing in our team.

“He had two strikes that he was unfortunate not to get a goal from, particularly the second one.

“I think that's what he just needs to add to it – just add his goals and his assists that we know we can do.

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“And if he does that, I'm sure he'll be a lot happier. And we can probably say he’ll be closer to his peak then. But it's hard to judge.”

Another player who has made encouraging recent steps in the side is Taylor Charters, who has started Carlisle’s last two games.

Taylor Charters set up United's winner at Burton (Image: Richard Parkes)

The west Cumbrian set up Tuesday’s winner with a well-flighted free-kick in what was only his sixth start of the League One campaign.

“I think he's had a bit of a tough time this year with injuries and he's not quite hit the level that I think he's capable of,” said Simpson.

“But the last couple of games, he's come in…and I trust him. I trust him to put the work in. And that's what we have to have.

“I'm a big believer that, in the position we're in, we have to have everybody pulling their weight.

“He puts a shift in for us and that's what's got him that right to be in for the last few games.”