Carlisle United boss impressed with returning Billy Barr

Barr has been back at Brunton Park for just three weeks.

But manager Simpson says the experienced figure has given the club and squad a lift in a short space of time.

Simpson, whose side host Reading today (Brunton Park, 3pm), said: “He’s been really good.

“I've been really impressed with him. He’s grown as a coach, he's become more experienced, is becoming more vocal, and he’s showing fantastic knowledge as well.

“So I'm really pleased with Billy, with what he's brought to us.

• LISTEN: Simmo on Reading, Burton, team news, contracts, off-field news and more

“My plan of having a new voice and new ideas has worked, even though we've only got one win out of it.

“Unfortunately people don't see what's going on in the background and everybody just looks at results. And I get that, I understand that.

Barr recently returned to Carlisle after 18 years away (Image: Richard Parkes)

“But he certainly has brought something to it. And hopefully that will carry on.”

Barr, after 18 years away from Carlisle, returned for a second spell on February 9 as Simpson sought to enhance his first-team backroom staff.

The 55-year-old enjoyed his first win since returning to the club when United won at Burton Albion on Tuesday – and they will now try to back that up on home soil today.

Carlisle are seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since last March.

Such a feat has been elusive after United’s four previous wins this season.

“I think because of the quick turnaround [this week] you can't do a hell of a lot different. We're going to just try and prepare how we think is the right way to prepare,” said the Blues manager, who has Josh Emmanuel and Ben Barclay back available today.

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“And it's then about the players going out [and doing it].

“Reading have had a week of preparation going into it, so there's no travel and no fatigue issues for them.

“We've got to just make sure that we've got energy going into the game. And we have a freshness about us, and a spring in our step from getting that first victory.

Carlisle are today hoping to build on their Burton victory (Image: Richard Parkes)

“That gives us a chance to go and get a second one, and that's the only thing that we can think about. It's about how the players go into that game, what their mindset is, once they've got a bit of clarity about what's expected.

“And hopefully they can go and do it again.”

Another backroom addition, meanwhile, is being lined up with a physio set to join the Blues to support head physio Chris Brunskill.

The candidate has been chosen but a start date is currently unclear.

“We still don't know when they're going to start,” said Simpson. “They're serving their notice.

“If their club can get a replacement for them, then they can come in earlier. But I haven't been told that that's going to happen soon.

“At the moment we've got a couple of interns in who are helping Chris, who have been really good. So we're just going to have to wait and see on that.”