The American family in takeover talks with Carlisle United are set to visit Brunton Park today to meet club staff.

The Piataks are due to talk to the Blues’ workforce ahead of a pivotal weekend in their bid to buy the club.

Florida logistics businessman Tom Piatak and five family members are heading to Cumbria ahead of Sunday’s meeting where they will share their plans with supporters’ trust members.

They will also attend the Blues’ League One game against Derby County at Brunton Park.

Ahead of both events, United’s staff will get the chance to meet the Piataks.

But they will not meet the Blues’ players before the weekend’s fixture.

Blues manager Paul Simpson said today: “I’m led to believe they’re coming in this afternoon to have a conversation with the staff over in the Pioneer Stand.

“I was asked if I wanted to meet them today or if they wanted to meet the players – no disrespect, I don’t want any distractions.

“The only thing in my mind and in the staff’s mind and what needs to be in the players’ mind is Derby County on Saturday afternoon.

“One we’ve dealt with that, and hopefully in a positive way, then we may have that conversation next week.”

The Piataks are in advanced discussions with the Blues and their meeting with CUOSC members in Carlisle on Sunday will form part of the takeover’s progress.

Trust members will be asked to vote on a resolution after the meeting, details of which have not yet been revealed.

The six family members set to attend the meeting are Tom Piatak and his wife Patty, their son Tom II and his wife Alice, and their daughter Jenna plus her fiancé Nick DeMasi.

The Jacksonville family recently spoke of their excitement at their potential takeover, but warned of the “significant hurdle” of resolving the club’s seven-figure debt to Purepay Retail Limited.