Paul Simpson says he is interested in bringing Fin Back and JK Gordon back to Carlisle United.

But the prospect of further loan deals for the Premier League pair is still to be determined.

Both Nottingham Forest defender Back and Crystal Palace frontman Gordon impressed at Brunton Park last season.

Simpson hopes the way Carlisle handled both players in 2022/23 will stand them in good stead should they be available again.

Asked by the News & Star if Back and Gordon were targets again, Simpson said: “There’s interest – whether we can get them is another thing.

“I thought both lads did very well. I don't know what the clubs’ thoughts are on it, but we'll speak to them.

“I speak to Steve Cooper [Nottingham Forest’s manager] regularly.

“Mark Bright [and Crystal Palace] have really enjoyed what we did with JK and they liked how we looked after him.

“So I don't think we've done ourselves any harm, whether it's with JK or whether it’s with any other players at their club.”

Simpson has pledged to try and use the loan market to United’s advantage again as they prepare for League One.

He stressed that patience may be required with such temporary signings given many players do not become available until later in pre-season.

“We’re talking to clubs at the moment about the loan signings,” he said. “We are discussing that. But they just won't allow it to come through just yet and they want to check that their own international players are coming back.

“And they don't want to reduce the quality of their own squads that are training, so they keep them around.

“But I'm hoping that over the next week or two we should get a bit of movement on that.”

United's boss has already signed three of last season's loan players - Jack Robinson, Alfie McCalmont and Ben Barclay - on permanent deals.