Paul Simpson is optimistic of adding to his Carlisle United squad in time for their next league game.

But the Blues boss is keeping his cards close to his chest on the potential signing.

Carlisle are in the market for another striker as well as a goalkeeper.

Simpson wants a new face in his ranks for Saturday’s trip to Oxford United in League One.

He said: “I’m hoping that we’ve got one coming in for this weekend, but I’m not prepared to say any more because I’m sick of getting let down.

“Not by our club – I’m sick of getting let down by different scenarios coming up.

“I would hope to get one in by the weekend, and we’ll wait and see.”

Simpson declined to say which position this week’s possible signing would cover.

He is already on record as saying United are pursuing a further goal threat, as well as another keeper to put pressure on No1 Tomas Holy.

Carlisle’s need in the striking department was further highlighted by a poor attacking display in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Harrogate Town.

He accepted the showing in Yorkshire underlined the need for the players he is continuing to try to bring in.

“We’ve been looking all through the summer – there are still two areas we definitely want to add to,” Simpson said.

“It’ll mean some players will get left out of the 18, but we’ve got to have a group of players who are all prepared to go and fight and work, and when they get their opportunity they’ve got to be ready for it.”

Simpson brought in frontmen Sean Maguire and Luke Plange in the final stages of pre-season but wants further attacking options.

“We know we need goals – the truth is they’re not easy to come by,” he said.

“We’ve been in the market for a goalscorer all summer, once we knew Kristian Dennis was leaving.

“The truth is we’ve not been able to find one, or not the one who’s going to go and get 20 goals a season.

“But you’ve got to be lucky with that type of player, to stumble on them.

“When you don’t have the biggest budget to be able to pay, you’re going to struggle, and that’s why it’s been a real challenge over the summer.

“I think when we get players fully fit and firing on all cylinders I do believe we’ve got players to score goals.

“Whether we score enough is going to be the biggest debate and that’s why they need to be popping up all over the place.

“That’s why we need players like Jon Mellish to go and score goals, it’s important that centre-backs get goals from set plays, it’s important if we’re asking wing-backs to get in at the far post that they get goals.

“If we don’t get them spread out this season it’s going to be a long slog.”