Paul Simpson believes Joe Garner can be a “leader” on and off the pitch in his fourth Carlisle United spell.

The striker is hoping to make his latest debut for the club on Tuesday night against Hartlepool United.

It follows his return to the club from Fleetwood Town on an 18-month deal.

United have brought in Garner to add to their attacking options as they try to maintain a promotion challenge.

And Simpson believes the 34-year-old can bring his experience to bear on their campaign in different ways.

“After one session with us you could see he’s still got plenty to offer,” said Carlisle’s manager.

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“We have to accept that every player that comes to League Two have all got some sort of flaw in their character, whatever it may be – it might be they’re just starting out, they don’t have pace or the ability to play at higher levels, or it might be an age thing.

“Joe is in that age bracket. But he’s still got so much to offer.

“I look at him in the situation I was in towards the end of my career when I went to Blackpool, playing in the Third Division at the time…I wasn’t good enough to play for Wolves in the Championship but I still had enough to be effective for Blackpool, and that’s what I hope Joe will bring.

“I think it’s really important to get the right type of personalities in the dressing room and Joe certainly has that, he has a leader’s mentality on the grass.

“I’ve spoken to people at Fleetwood, people who were not wanting him to leave the club, and they’ve all given him a glowing reference.

“And I certainly don’t need to give him any introduction to the Carlisle United fans, because everybody knows what he’s like.”

Simpson said Garner was “hungry” to return to the club for whom he first played in 2006/7, before further spells in 2007/8 and 2012/13.

He was denied the chance to make his fourth debut on Saturday, with the trip to Bradford City postponed, and will now target an outing against Keith Curle’s Pools at Brunton Park on Tuesday night.

Simpson says it has taken Garner little time to get reacquainted with life at United.

“He knows a few of the lads and a couple of the staff. He’s a confident lad, there’s no holding back with him,” said Simpson.

“He’s settled in really well.

“Bringing him in, along with the other signings, in adds real competition for places that will help us push on for this last run of games.

“I think he’s just got a bit of football nouse about him. He knows how to back into players, unsettle defenders. He knows how to get the best out of his own team-mates.

“That’s what I wanted to bring to into it. Because of his age, he might not play every single game. But he can bring something even just being in the dressing room, being part of the group.”