Paul Simpson says Carlisle United are looking at “a few” midfield options in the transfer market after the latest injuries.

The Blues manager says that “ideally” he will add to his squad before the opening game of the season after Dylan McGeouch joined Ethan Robson on the sidelines.

But Simpson says he is not “panicking” about the situation with the big kick-off looming next weekend.

McGeouch is a doubt for the trip to Gillingham after going off with a groin injury in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stockport County at Brunton Park.

That added to United’s midfield headaches after Robson was already ruled out for about three months with a hamstring injury.

With Taylor Charters also missing the Stockport game with United keen not to risk his hamstring after some discomfort, it leaves the Blues short of depth in the position.

Simpson told the News & Star: “Yes, it's a concern – but it's an area we are looking to strengthen.

“That's one of the positions that we want to bring in so we'll keep working to try and do that.”

Asked if he would like a new midfielder in before the Gillingham trip, Simpson said: “In the ideal world, I'd like somebody before Gillingham but I'm not panicking about it.

Harrison Neal is one of United's few fit options in central midfield at the momentHarrison Neal is one of United's few fit options in central midfield at the moment (Image: Richard Parkes)

“I know I've got until the end of the window.

“I want to make sure they're the right ones, they've got to be the right footballers and they've got to be the right personalities, and I'm not prepared to change from the way I think about that just because we've had a couple of injuries.

“We've got to make sure that we get a group of players who are going to complement what we've already got in here – I'm really pleased with what we've already got.”

Asked if any live targets were currently being worked on by the Blues, Simpson said: “There's a few we're looking at to be honest with you.

“It's not just a case of one, because we're not always getting the only one that we look at, so we have to spread it a little bit wider.

“So we're looking. [We had] people out and about [on Saturday] doing live viewings, and there's been a lot of video viewings and discussions going on, and we'll continue to do that.”

United's boss used defender Ben Barclay in the holding midfield position after McGeouch went off on Saturday.