Paul Simpson says pre-season is “cranking up” for Carlisle United as they begin the two-week countdown to the new season.

The Blues head to Simpson’s former club Rochdale tomorrow (Crown Oil Arena, 3pm) for their latest friendly.

It is the first of back-to-back games against National League sides, with United then heading to Gateshead next Tuesday.

That comes ahead of their final friendly at home to League One new boys Stockport County.

Simpson wants to see more positive signs from his side as things go on – while he is also hoping to bolster his squad in this period before the August 10 League Two kick-off at Gillingham.

United’s manager gave his players a couple of days’ rest earlier in the week, following last week’s five-day training camp at St Andrews followed by the 2-2 draw with St Mirren.

The Blues have since returned to step preparations up. “After a few days’ rest for the players, we’re now getting ready for Rochdale and we’re cranking it up,” Simpson said.

“We’ve got Rochdale which will be a good test, we've got Gateshead which will be a good test and then finish with the Stockport game.

“Hopefully we'll maybe have a couple more bodies in too, and we'll be ready to go.”

Simpson expects a Premier League loan player to join Carlisle later in pre-season, while he could also bring in two further players.

United’s boss wants to add to the attacking side of his squad as the Blues target a successful campaign in the fourth tier following relegation.

This weekend sees them take on a side where Simpson started his managerial career.

Carlisle are likely to have Jon Mellish back in contention after the defender missed the St Mirren trip because of a family matter.

It remains to be seen whether Cameron Harper will be fit to return, after discomfort in his groin kept the summer signing out of the game in Paisley.

Simpson described the situation as a “little bit of a concern,” Harper able to run and turn without discomfort but ball-striking still causing some pain.

Georgie Kelly could get a longer outing at Rochdale after his 15-minute cameo against St MirrenGeorgie Kelly could get a longer outing at Rochdale after his 15-minute cameo against St Mirren (Image: Ben Holmes)

Striker Georgie Kelly could get a longer outing at Rochdale having made a 15-minute cameo on his first pre-season appearance at St Mirren.

Simpson wants his side to build on the positive aspects of their showing in Scotland, and also nail down some of the issues that saw them concede twice.

“There are things that we just need to tighten up on,” he said.

“We've got new faces and we've got new players in there, so we've just got to tighten everything up and make sure we improve.”

Saturday’s opponents are preparing for their second season in the National League, Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale side having finished 16th in non-league’s top tier in 2023/24. United's last visit to the ground saw a 1-0 victory in their 2022/23 League Two promotion campaign, when John-Kymani Gordon got the only goal.