David Holdsworth says Carlisle United’s stance of waiting for loan signings has been manager Steven Pressley’s policy “from day one” – and the club are giving him their full backing.

United are still to make a host of the signings they need with the new season looming and the squad short of numbers.

One new arrival is possible in the next 48 hours with Carlisle hoping to bring in an attacking player from a Premier League club.

Director of football Holdsworth has been blamed by some fans for United’s lack of recent additions.

In an interview with the News & Star, though, he said the decision to be patient on loanees, rather than bring in other players sooner, is Pressley’s, and that the club supported him in this.

Holdsworth said: “Steven has adopted a policy where he wanted to get players on loan from various clubs, and that’s still where we are.

“Steven has been very open about his policy and, as a club, all we have done is support Steven and his targets.

“We are waiting on options from various clubs in the Championship and Premier League. We have submitted loan approaches, and Steven knows we are waiting on return calls from those managers once they’ve done their business.

“It’s frustrating for Steven, for myself and for supporters who are keen to see people coming through the door, but there are eight options we currently have and we’re hoping some of those solutions come through the door very quickly.

“Steven could have had – and has had the opportunities on - a number of players [over the summer] and it’s not that we’ve been turned down. It’s that Steven has been absolutely transparent about the type of player he’s wanted.

“He’s being patient, which is his prerogative and responsibility as manager.”

In today’s Q&A, Holdsworth also insists it is a “myth” that Carlisle have missed out on a number of players because of the length of deal or the money they are offering.

He also maintained there were funds available for Pressley to spend. “Financially we’re in a better place than last year,” he added.

He also said, though, that Carlisle were keen not to “over-spend” and “waste” funds provided by backers Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

As well as their current hoped-for attacking arrival, Holdsworth said United have also enquired about a forward player based in the south west.

The director of football said United would have “a conversation” about their transfer plans on Friday if they are again unable to add to their squad this week.

He said the next few days are “pivotal”, adding: “I would be very disappointed to go into the start of the season [short], given the options we’ve had and the solutions we could have had, and I’m sure Steven would be. But it’s not somewhere we want to be.

It appears, meanwhile, that forward Hallam Hope – who returns from suspension against Tranmere tonight – will be remaining at Brunton Park.

He had been the subject of bids from Blackpool, with League Two clubs also interested.

Holdsworth, though, said: “Let me reassure supporters. I could have sold Hallam Hope, and we didn’t. We’ve shown our strength – we didn’t need to sell him.

“The other clubs’ ambition didn’t match ours in terms of where we see Hallam. The club that likes Hallam the most is us.”