Paul Simpson says he's glad Carlisle United’s budget will put them in the middle of League Two’s spenders next season rather than the bottom.

And the Blues manager says he is “confident” he can turn things around as he prepares for a crucial summer in the market.

Simpson led Carlisle to promotion in 2022/23 from the fourth tier despite a budget at the lower end of the division.

United have been unable to bridge a bigger gap in League One this season with the Cumbrians finishing bottom amid a poor campaign.

United’s owners, the Piataks, are backing Simpson to rebuild the squad for a tilt at bouncing back in 2024/25.

Carlisle, said the manager, will have more financial muscle than before but will still not be at the top end of League Two budget-wise.

News and Star: United's owners, the Piataks (pictured, from right: Tom snr, Patty, Tom II and Alice) are backing Simpson in the summer marketUnited's owners, the Piataks (pictured, from right: Tom snr, Patty, Tom II and Alice) are backing Simpson in the summer market (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It’s the first time as Carlisle United manager that I’ve got a budget that will probably put us mid-table rather than bottom three or four,” he said.

“I know budgets don’t always get you success but it gives you a fighting chance to bring players in.”

Simpson said there needs to be “big changes” over the summer.

He added that six to eight players will need to be brought in, whilst adding that he may look to move on some players under contract.

But the Blues boss is unclear how easy the latter will be.

“I honestly can’t give you an answer about that at the moment because I don’t know,” he said.

“When you get a season like we’ve had you don’t exactly get loads of clubs knocking your door down for your players.

“We just have to wait and see. There’s a big job on, a really big job, to make sure we have a stronger group ready to go for next season.

“We’ve got a big job on our hands but we’re in a position where I’m confident we can turn it around.

“But there’s no point thinking it, we’ve got to do it. It absolutely needs major surgery. That’s the challenge for us, to make sure we change it.”