Carlisle United boss on loan player decisions and January budget

The Blues boss says there is a possibility some may return to their parent clubs in the transfer window.

It is a further consideration for United at a time they are weighing up their moves in the market.

Carlisle have four loan players on their books in Fin Back, Sonny Hilton, Ben Barclay and Jack Stretton.

They are optimistic of retaining Derby County striker Stretton for the season while talks are ongoing with Nottingham Forest over wing-back Back, who is out injured for months.

Stockport County defender Barclay and Fulham attacking midfielder Hilton have seen first-team opportunities limited in the first half of the season, with injuries a factor with both.

Speaking about the loanees in general, United’s manager said: “We’re constantly having conversations with the parent clubs to see what they want to do.

“It’s all still a little bit of a grey area – that’s not a criticism, just the way it is.

“They’ve got to protect themselves, I get that.

Sonny Hilton is one of four loan players on United's books (Image: Richard Parkes)

“There is a window in January where they can make that decision and call them back.

“We’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed that the ones we want to keep we’re able to, and if we feel it’s beneficial for them to go back we’ll talk about that as well.”

Simpson is keen to strengthen United’s squad in January and said he is aware of the budget at his disposal.

“I’ve got a general idea of what we have to spend in terms of the salaries, and we’ve also got ideas of the players we want to bring in that we’re lining up,” he said.

“It’s one of those situations that evolves from game to game or week to week, but hopefully come January 1 we’ll have a really clear idea of what we’re going to bring in and we hope we’ll be able to start getting the ball rolling between the Doncaster game [on January 1] and our next game after that on January 14.”

On United’s resources to strengthen their squad in the window, the Blues boss added: “We have to make it work. We have what we’ve got and that’s the end of it.

“There’s no point me wanting more. I don’t go away and sulk when I’ve been told what we’ve got, it’s a case of getting on with it.

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“We will make it as good as we possibly can, we will do wheeling and dealing like we did in the summer, and I’m pretty comfortable with where I am with it at the moment.

“I came to this club not because I knew I had a bottomless pit of a budget, but because I felt we could improve it. So far we have, but there’s still a long, long way to go to where I want it to be.”

Simpson also hopes United’s position in the play-off race will prove attractive to potential targets next month.

“We’re looking at players we think could improve us, and they wouldn’t want to come if you’re in a relegation fight,” he said.

“We have to make sure we add to this group to make it better and this group keeps going at the same level they have for 21 games and try and make the club better.”