Mike Williamson says he has had some “honest” discussions with out-of-favour players as plans continue for January at Carlisle United.

The Blues boss says the “pre-planning” for the winter transfer window is continuing at Brunton Park.

And there is the potential for movement both ways as the head coach looks to evolve his squad with the aim of climbing the League Two table.

Williamson, sporting director Rob Clarkson and their colleagues are discussing how United plan to approach things when the window opens.

“The conversations are ongoing, so we're putting plans into place, but at the minute it's just preliminary because we've still got a good amount of football to play and things can change very quickly,” Williamson told the News & Star, ahead of Saturday's home clash with Crewe Alexandra.

“I'm sure there's going to be knocks at my door in terms of [players] frustrated with the game time [they are getting], and that's a natural process of it.

“At the minute it's a lot of pre-planning but when it comes to execution it'll be dependent on a few different factors which are yet to be seen.”

Asked if any players had already approached him to discuss their lack of game time, the Blues boss said: “Not that I can divulge who, but there's been a couple – which I expect, because being a professional footballer, the hardest thing is not being able to ply your trade.

Sporting director Rob Clarkson is at the forefront of United's planning for the January windowSporting director Rob Clarkson is at the forefront of United's planning for the January window (Image: Richard Parkes)

“All I can do is be as honest as I possibly can, and it’s been taken in the right way.”

Williamson says sporting director Clarkson, who has been at the club for just under a month, is making his views clear as United prepare for January.

On discussions with the new man, the head coach said: “I feel like everyone can feel the instant impact he's had straight away.

“[With] his background in recruitment, I think we've seen change, and [in] the process and the meetings that we're having he knows what he likes, he knows what he wants and he gives you a really strong opinion on that, which I think is really important.

“But it’s [also] the collaboration – there’s a lot of meetings, a lot of planning but we'll have to wait until we get to the crunch mark to see what we're able to execute.”

Williamson is set to welcome Jordan Jones back from injury in the game against third-placed Crewe, which kicks off at 12.30pm, while Ben Barclay returns from suspension. Jon Mellish will serve a one-man ban. United can move out of the relegation zone by avoiding defeat to Lee Bell's high-flying Railwaymen, with rivals Swindon Town and Morecambe both in FA Cup action on Saturday.