Mike Williamson says changes at Carlisle United are inevitable in the January transfer window.

The Blues boss said that, while it may not be a “major” overhaul, the mid-season window is likely to see some key moves in and out.

Carlisle’s head coach has had meetings with new sporting director Rob Clarkson this week with January planning one of the immediate priorities.

It is set to be a significant period as United try to improve their struggling fortunes in League Two.

Asked if he felt wholesale changes were needed or a more careful approach to January trading, Williamson said: “I just think they have to be the right decisions, and if we're bringing in players, they've got to really add value and add quality.

“So, I wouldn't say major, but there will also be players that aren't getting the game time [they want], that probably haven't come and spoken to me yet, that express their frustration.

“It will be about making sure that everything we do, we do it as a real carryover, and that when the window closes, we're in a stronger position as a football club, and every window that comes and goes, we're improving on and off the field.

“I don't know what that numerical value will look like [in terms of January deals], but there's going to be change, of course there is, that's the nature of it.

“We've just got to make sure the due diligence now, and the planning and preparation, is about quality.”

Former Manchester City, Rangers and Football Association man Clarkson started work at Brunton Park this week.

Williamson says he has already spent plenty of time with the new sporting director as they aim to strengthen United in various departments.

Williamson says he has been assessing his squad Williamson says he has been assessing his squad (Image: Richard Parkes)

“We’ve had a lot of contact time,” said Williamson. “We've had a good couple of hour sessions, chatting and getting to know each other.

“It’s a case of him coming in and assessing all departments.

“Firstly, it's just about how we can all support everyone in their role, how we can connect it. And that's really important.

“We don't want it to just be all the different departments working on their own. We want to make sure that we're all supporting each other – and [then it’s] where you can add value.

“The vision and the plan is to keep improving off and on the field.”

In terms of January plans, Williamson said it is an ongoing process.

“I always say recruitment is just all year round. It doesn't ever end,” he said. “Even when a window closes, you're planning for the next one. There's minimal downtime, if any, really.

“We've tried to assess the squad the best we possibly can. It's a group of players that gives everything, but it's a group of players that needs help and need support, and that's going to be huge.

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“There are many different factors that go into that, with the budgets and the size of the squad. Normally, I like to work with smaller squads in general, but we've inherited a group of lads, and it's a really honest, hard-working group of lads with quality as well.

“Again, there will be changes, and everybody knows that. That's just the nature of it, and we've all got to embrace that.

“Whatever roles and responsibilities we've got, we've just got to give everything we possibly can.”