Carlisle United are playing the waiting game on targets with the transfer window about to enter its crucial final week.

The Blues are understood to be keen to add to their squad in different positions before the August 31 deadline.

United have identified targets in defensive and attacking areas and hope to make progress this week.

They may, though, have to be patient with the relevant clubs also seeking to do their own business in order to allow players to leave.

Head coach Chris Beech last week said Carlisle were “active” in the market but was reluctant to give details until deals were done.

He admitted that it was “likely” one of the areas of focus before the window would be in defence, after the recent six-figure sale of defender Aaron Hayden to Wrexham

After the signing of striker Brad Young, meanwhile, the Blues could also seek further attacking options.

Any further business, meanwhile, could hinge on whether there are any departures from Brunton Park before the deadline.

There remains the possibility of movement involving out-of-favour players, although speculation linking influential skipper Callum Guy to Wrexham appears to be premature.

The National League club are targeting more players from the EFL in a bid to bolster their promotion hopes.

It has been confirmed they lodged a bid for Cheltenham’s Ben Tozer – described as “derisory” by Robins boss Michael Duff.

Carlisle, meanwhile, have not commented on any potential interest in Guy from the Red Dragons - unlike in the Hayden case when they confirmed a bid had been lodged - and it remains to be seen whether the Welsh outfit firm up any interest in one of the Cumbrians’ most important players late in the window.

Fans have called on the Blues to reinvest some of the Hayden proceeds in the team.

Beech said any new face had to “fit” with the current squad, adding: “Sometimes it’s alright saying you’ve got to spend all your money on certain things and certain ways.

“But you’ve got 15-20 lads who are very similar, paid similar, doing similar things, so it’s important you make sure you look after your group.”

The Blues head coach, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient, played down the idea he could also move to strengthen United’s midfield ranks.

He was asked if the lack of central midfield options on the bench indicated a need for more options in that position.

Beech said: “I’m very happy when we get complimented on our midfield, but you’re always open-eyed to things that can help you be better – I would be daft to be like that.

“I’m always open to difference if I feel the player’s ambitious and the right sort of character to come into a changing room like ours, but I wouldn’t say there’s an imminent need to say, ‘Quick, let’s bring in two central midfield players’.”

United are expected to have fit-again Danny Devine back among their midfield ranks soon.