Chris Beech says Carlisle United have made “several enquiries” as they bid to add more signings before the transfer window shuts in a week’s time.

The Blues have brought in five new players this month, having also sold Jarrad Branthwaite and Hallam Hope.

Many supporters have called on the Cumbrians to plough more of those proceeds into the team as they fight against the League Two drop.

Asked if United could now use some of that money to spend more boldly on the additions they still need, head coach Beech said: “It depends - and often what I say can be exaggerated up or down - so ‘bold’, I’m not sure they’re the right words.

“But we have made several enquiries. You’ve got to wait on so many different factors. I was disappointed with one of them this week, we were so far, 48 hours of pure negotiation, with David [Holdsworth], the club, me, and we got to the point of wanting to crack on, and it ends up he [the player] goes another way.

“That’s what happens. Until you can get the player in front of you and sell how you want to do [things] and what you want to do with him, these things are often changing. Some clubs don’t allow you to speak to the player until things are agreed.”

Carlisle are understood still to be seeking additions in midfield and attack, whilst trying to move on certain out-of-favour players before the 11pm deadline on January 31.

Beech added: “It’s been very busy and I’ll still continue to be busy because I want to give everybody the best opportunity to be competitive.

“I want that kind of environment here. It’s not just like, ‘he plays’; I want everybody to fight for the shirt and to represent the club in the best way they can.

“Let’s have some honour to it because it means so much to people that support the football club, who run the football club, who invest in it.

“I want all of that represented in the way we play, the way we attack, the way we defend. I think players are stepping up to get us there and it’s nice to have some new additions who can help us to deliver that.”