Paul Simpson is set for discussions with Carlisle United’s directors – having not ruled out more transfer activity.

While the Blues manager says his summer recruitment is largely done, he would ideally still like to bring in more left-sided cover.

But that, he said, will depend on the budget situation, with United having brought in several players recently.

He said the club had “found a bit more” to seal the signing of centre-half Paul Huntington on Wednesday.

Regarding the rest of the transfer window, Carlisle’s manager said: “I think the first thing is I need to know where we are in terms of the finances. That will happen over the next couple of days I would imagine.

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“I’ve not had missed calls of irate directors telling me the chequebook’s been ripped up, so I’m going to have that conversation with them.

“I said all along, the budget is what it is. They’ve gone out and found a little bit more to do the Paul Huntington one. Whether there’s room for any more we’ll have to wait and see.”

United’s left wing-back options are depleted with the loss for most of the season of Brennan Dickenson to a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Taylor Charters, who should be back in training soon, can provide cover for Jack Armer but the Carlisle manager added: “With Brennan being out, we’re short on that left side of defence.

“If funds are available and the right player is out there that’s an area we might look to strengthen.”

Simpson has also spoken of the importance of good attendances and fans supporting the club in other ways.

News and Star: Simmo says another good attendance this weekend can strengthen his financial hand (photo: Barbara Abbott)Simmo says another good attendance this weekend can strengthen his financial hand (photo: Barbara Abbott)

He said strong backing would help strengthen his hand if United need to go back into the market.

“If we can get a good crowd this weekend it’s easier for me to go to the chief exec and board [and say], ‘Please can we have some more to go and strengthen the squad?’.

“The more people we get through the turnstiles supporting us, the more sponsorship we get, the stronger it makes my hand.

“I’m not saying for one minute I’m dissatisfied with what I’ve got. I’m delighted with the players we’ve got in.

“It’s just a testing time at the minute, and we’ve got to call on other players.

“For example, if Ryan Edmondson’s not fit for the weekend, we’ve got Omari Patrick ready to come in, Jack Stretton bursting to get into the team.

“If Ben Barclay’s not fit we’ve got people like Jack Ellis who can come into it, or even we could play Jack Armer as a centre-back.

“Jordan Gibson’s shown us he can play at wing-back. We have alternatives but I would probably class them as round pegs in square holes. I want round in round if we possibly can.

“That’s what I’m trying to get with the group I’m trying to assemble.”

Simpson has brought in a number of players recently, with Huntington following Stretton, Jayden Harris and Michael Kelly through the door in recent weeks.

“In the rest of the areas of the pitch I think we’ve got decent options there,” the manager added.

“We’ve got to be patient and wait for Joel Senior to be back, hopefully late October-November. We’ve got Fin Back who I’m delighted with, we’ve got Jack Ellis who can go in there, and Ryan Carr showed in pre-season he’s capable of being able to step up.

“I wouldn’t think he’s ready for a long run of games but he’s shown he’s ok.

“We’ve got to be patient and wait for Taylor Charters to come back; we’re hoping he’s going to join in training with us next week, and that will be a bonus.”