Keith Millen says his focus in the transfer market is now on signing players who can give Carlisle United extra “spark”.

And the manager insisted the Blues can afford to be choosy on the recruits they make before the window closes.

United have made three signings so far and Millen would like to increase that number before the January 31 deadline.

Speaking after last night’s stalemate against Hartlepool, he said any further players they sign by then must be able to bring something different to the team.

Asked if the goalless draw had highlighted what United’s attack still needed, he said: “You don’t want all the same type, definitely.

“We are looking at different types, different areas.

“I feel now that we can try and be really picky on trying to get maybe one or two real sort of key signings.

“As we are we’re good. Can we find that one little signing that’s like, ‘Wow, where did that come from?’ – whether it’s a forward, wide man, whatever.

“That signing that maybe just gives us that extra little spark that we might need.”

Millen suggested there were no imminent signings, saying United had received some knock-backs in the market.

But he said the Blues were continuing to weigh up a number of targets.

“We’ve had a few ‘No’s, which we expect, so then you have to go down your list and the profiling of the players and the types you want,” he added.

“Things can change very quickly, so we’ve got to make sure we’re on the ball, we’re ready, and if the right person comes up we’ll try and do something.

“There are still a lot of conversations, still a lot of names being thrown about. I do think the last two weeks of the window you’ll probably see a lot more movement, players coming in, players going out.

“We don’t need much. I’m not desperate. I’d love to bring in one, maybe two, but they need to really come in and help and improve us.

“It’s a smaller market, if you like, because the players we’ve got here are doing a good job.

“I’m hopeful that we might be able to do a bit more business and the club are backing me in that respect. But I won’t do it just for the sake of it.” 

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