Paul Simpson hopes Carlisle United’s three January signings can help the promotion-chasing Blues raise their game as they return to action today.
John-Kymani Gordon, Alfie McCalmont and Jack Robinson are all set to be in the squad to take on Newport County (Brunton Park, 3pm).
The trio of loanees have bolstered Simpson’s options in defence, midfield and attack for the second half of the season.
And ahead of today’s return to League Two action after two weeks without a game, United’s boss said: “The three new signings coming in has added a little bit of competition to the group, so everybody else’s energy levels and performance levels raise up a bit so they know their places are under threat.
“The challenge for everybody is to force their way into the team and stay there.
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“I’m hoping the signings will have a really positive impact, not only with their own performances but everybody else’s as well.
"All three will be involved. I want to get them a feel of what it’s like in our first-team football, and what a great opportunity at home against Newport which will be a tough game.
"It will give our own supporters the chance to see them first hand as well, hopefully we get good numbers turning up to back us."
United resume their promotion push in fourth place this afternoon against Graham Coughlan’s 18th-placed Exiles.
Kymani-Gordon yesterday became their third January signing after joining on loan from Crystal Palace.
Simpson said he was delighted by the 19-year-old’s eagerness to come out of his comfort zone and try to prove himself in first-team football.
“I think he was excited by what I tried to explain I wanted to do here,” said Simpson.
“I think he was excited by the fact we’re in a really strong position.
“He wanted the challenge of coming and living far away from home. I don’t think he could have picked anywhere further unless he went to Scotland...
“He’s got a great challenge but he’s thrown himself into it, and wants to be here.
“He had other options he could have gone to, some much closer to home, but thankfully he’s chosen us, and I’m looking forward to really getting stuck in and working with him, and him working with us, and seeing what he’s capable of doing.”
United’s boss says Kymani-Gordon is primarily a wide attacker but someone who can be effective in different forward positions.
“He’s got pace, and really good individual technical ability,” he said.
“We’ve all been out and watched him live, watched clips of him, we’ve done some character checks on him and everything’s come back positive.
“He’s got the ability to go past people, to score goals, and has really good technique.
“I just think he’s an exciting player who just gives us something a little bit different to what we have in the group.
“He favours playing wide but he’s also capable of playing down the middle as well. He’s a different player to Jack Stretton; Jack was a No9 who we asked to play out wide whereas Kymani is a 7 or 11 who may be asked to play as a 9 or 10.
“He’s a little bit different in that. But it’s an exciting one for us. For us to pip some other good clubs at our level and also the next level up is a real feather in our cap.
“I think with him, Jack Robinson and Alfie, they just add more depth to the group which is what we really need for the remainder of the season.”
United could also welcome Omari Patrick back into today’s squad after his return from a hamstring injury, against a Newport side who will include former Carlisle striker Offrande Zanzala.
On Carlisle’s return to action, Simpson added: “I’m excited to get back on grass for a start – we’ve not been able to get on grass all week [for training] because of the rain, that’s been a real challenge for us.
“We’re really lucky we’re allowed to use Gretna’s pitch, so we’re able to go and do the work we need to do.
“It’s a god opportunity for us. We feel refreshed and ready to go, and the two weeks have given some enthusiasm back to everybody.
“Bringing new faces adds enthusiasm, and everybody’s looking forward to getting started again.”
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