Paul Simpson says he does not want Charlie Wyke to change how he plays just because he now has the Carlisle United captain’s armband.

Simpson has appointed the striker captain 2024/25 season, feeling Wyke “leads by example”.

But the Blues boss says the experienced frontman does not need to alter his approach as he prepares to lead United into the new League Two campaign.

Wyke will be team captain with Sam Lavelle club captain at United this term.

Simpson said: “When I was speaking to players over the summer in terms of recruiting them, there were two or three of them who said, ‘Who's your captain? Because I'd like to be considered for captain’.

“So I had a few players in my mind who I wanted to think about, and Charlie was one.

“I think he's shown leadership qualities. I think he gets respect from everybody because of what he's done.

“I don't want him to change his game. I don't want him to think he has to do something else because he's got an armband on.

“I just want him to go and play his game and hope that he can add to the group.”

Wyke is preparing for the start of his second spell with the Blues after rejoining the club from Wigan Athletic this summer.

Simpson rotated the armband in pre-season before deciding on Wyke as his new skipper.

The 31-year-old will lead the Cumbrians out at Gillingham on Saturday’s opening day of the League Two campaign.

The game will herald his second stint with the Cumbrians, Wyke having previously been on United’s books from 2015 to 2017.

Simpson has also established a “leadership group” in the dressing room for the new season and also feels he has added more leaders to his squad this summer, with the likes of Aaron Hayden and Terell Thomas.