Paul Simpson believes his next signing at Carlisle United will bring “positivity and energy”.

The Blues are set to bring in a loan attacker from a Premier League club.

United expect to have the player in the building in time to play in Saturday’s last pre-season friendly against Stockport County.

A deal has been in the pipeline for some time and the player is due to train with Carlisle before the end of the week.

Simpson told the News & Star that, as far as he knew, everything was still on course for the player to join United.

Asked what he’d bring to the squad, United’s boss said: “Hopefully some positivity and some energy – and another forward player.”

Simpson wants to strengthen his squad further but denied that United were on the brink of any more deals with just over a week to go until the start of the new League Two season.

But he did say they were “in the mix” with several targets.

“No, I wouldn't say that they're really close [on any others],” he said.

“There are obviously players who we are discussing and we're trying to see whether we can get them in.

“As you know, there are all sorts of things that go in with it. The clubs have to be ready to let them go. The players have to want to come.

“So, we're in the mix with a few different players and hopefully we can land the right ones.”

Simpson is keen to strengthen his midfield options – a matter more urgent given the news of Ethan Robson’s hamstring injury.

The summer signing is out for ten to 12 weeks and possibly longer if his injury needs surgery.

United’s manager told the News & Star that adding another creative option to his midfield was already a priority even before Robson was sidelined.