David Holdsworth says Chris Beech is adopting a “patient” approach in the transfer market at Carlisle United.

The Blues have so far made one summer signing – striker Tristan Abrahams.

United are talking to other players but there is no sign yet of more imminent deals.

While the Cumbrians do not require the same squad overhaul as last summer, there are still gaps to fill after recent departures.

The wait for more new faces comes ahead of the players’ return to pre-season training towards the end of next week.

Director of football Holdsworth said: “I respect the fact supporters are eager for us to jump into the market but Chris is being patient for the right people he feels can add value to our squad, and I understand that.

“We’ve had to make a careful approach. The players we’re going for are players that are either under contract somewhere else or perhaps having to wait because of other situations in football still.

“Chris is taking his time – he wants to get it right.”

Abrahams was a long-term target for Beech and the striker signed a two-year deal at Brunton Park on Monday.

His arrival was a welcome addition after the loss of Offrande Zanzala, Omari Patrick and Paul Farman.

Zanzala and Farman joined Barrow while Patrick signed for Burton Albion.

Holdsworth said he acknowledged that supporters may not enjoy the fact certain players have joined a “rival” such as fellow Cumbrians Barrow, but said: “It’s irrelevant where people go. It’s all about Carlisle United for me.

“If a player doesn’t want to stay, off you pop, take care, keep well.

“We made very good offers to boys and if they choose to move on, we do wish them well.”

Holdsworth said United’s financial offerings to players had to remain “balanced”.

He said: “Without being disproportionate to our working operation in terms of the finance, we made those boys very good offers.

“If another club comes along and makes them offers that are considerably more for that player, that’s up to them.

“Paul Farman is a friend of mind – I’ve known him a long time since I signed him myself at Lincoln.

“He got made an offer [from Barrow] that he felt was right for him and his family at this time.

“There has to become a level where our operating financial package has to be balanced. That’s a decision we made.

“Ozzy was a free spirit, he could go wherever the money takes him, and good luck to him.”

The remaining player to be offered a deal at the end of 2020/21 still to confirm his next move is defender Rhys Bennett.

The centre-half is understood to be attracting strong interest from clubs in Leagues One and Two.

Holdsworth said the “very good offer” tabled to Bennett by the Blues was “still on the table” and that Beech remained keen to keep the defender at Brunton Park.