Carlisle United are closing in on their fifth summer signing – a midfielder.

Manager Paul Simpson revealed that a player was having a medical at Brunton Park this morning.

It is hoped that things will go smoothly and that the Blues will be able to confirm the new face soon.

Simpson gave an update on recruitment when speaking at this morning’s fixtures business breakfast event in Foxy’s Restaurant.

Having made four signings to date – Aaron Hayden, Cameron Harper, Jude Smith and Terell Thomas – the recruitment drive is continuing at Brunton Park.

Simpson, discussing areas still to strengthen, said: “I've still got one area in the defence that I want to fill. I know when you look at the squad numbers, you can probably work out what that is [United’s number 2 is still vacant].

“Midfield…as I speak now, I know there's one having a medical downstairs. I hope he passes it because my next job when I get out of here is to have a photograph on the side of the pitch with him, so I'm hoping that's all going to go to plan. So fingers crossed on that one.

“Then it's the forward areas, which historically is always the hardest to fill. We really are trying. We've spoken to lots of players and some bloody good ones as well.

“Nobody wants to know about who you can't get and who you've missed out on, but we're keeping trying. 

“We’re going to try because I think it's an area that needs strengthening - definitely needs strengthening before we go into the season.

“So those are the only areas that we're going for.”

United’s recruitment this summer so far has focused on the defensive side of the team, with centre-backs Hayden and Thomas coming in along with left-sided Harper, as well as goalkeeper Smith.

Manager Simpson, meanwhile, attended the fixtures breakfast on crutches as he recovers from a recent knee operation.