Paul Simpson says Carlisle United will not be deviating from their plans as they set about their final week’s training before the big kick-off.

The League One opener against Fleetwood Town is now just four days away.

Simpson is fine-tuning the Blues’ preparations for their first third-tier game in nine years.

And the manager says he will be sticking firmly to the plan.

“It's a normal week, it's a normal week of training,” he said. “We won't be changing anything.

“The players will get the work days, they'll find out the team later on in the week and we'll finish our last bits of preparation.

“I'll now start seriously looking at Fleetwood because we haven't yet – [until now] it’s all been all about us and how we prepare for games and it's been about fitness.

“This is as much of a normal week as you can get because we’re now preparing for Saturday.”

Simpson said after last Saturday’s 2-0 pre-season defeat to Dundee United that his opening-day XI was not set in stone.

He stressed that day’s selection was heavily influenced by the need for certain players to get a full 90 minutes under their belts.

Regardless of that, the Cumbrians’ manager admitted United’s final warm-up display was below par and says things must be better as the Blues get in shape for the curtain-raiser at Brunton Park this weekend.

“We need to be sharp, we need to be lively, we need to get the energy and enthusiasm back that we didn’t really show [on Saturday] but was there in abundance at the end of last season,” said Simpson, who has new loan striker Luke Plange in his squad for the final stages of the build-up, but with a move for a loan goalkeeper not yet sealed.

“We need to take it into what will be a brilliant day. I’m quite sure the fans will come out in their numbers for the game and I’m looking forward to it.”