Paul Simpson has earmarked the qualities that will be top of his recruitment list at Carlisle United this summer.

The Blues boss admitted his side were well behind Saturday’s opponents Reading in terms of “pace” and “athleticism”.

The 3-1 home defeat to the Royals, which pushed United ever closer to League One relegation, exposed a huge difference between the respective sides.

And Simpson says bridging the gap in those particular areas will be a high priority amid plans which are already under way.

“We are [already] looking towards next season, we are looking at our recruitment, and [the squad] has to be more athletic, has to have more physicality about it,” Simpson told the News & Star.

“And that's the big remit for the recruitment side of it – that's what we need to bring into this football club.

“Because wherever we are next season, we have to be physically stronger, physically quicker, physically bigger, because that will stand us in good stead.”

News and Star: Paul SimpsonPaul Simpson (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Relegation now looks inevitable with United 15 points adrift of safety with just 11 games left.

The Blues, who have lost nine of their last ten games, have steadily fallen further and further adrift of the rest of the other strugglers.

Their worsening predicament leaves United now in need of a miracle to pull off a highly unlikely survival. 

“Realistically it has been [like that] for weeks, hasn't it?” said Simpson, whose side return to action at Charlton Athletic next Saturday.

“And all we can do is just keep working as hard as we can, trying to be as good as we possibly can.

“Not just on the physical side, but on the technical side.

“We've got to be brave to do the right things in terms of the football. And if we do that, then we can't really ask any more.”