Paul Simpson hopes Carlisle United’s latest coaching addition will benefit the club in the long term.

Adam Kwiecien was last week confirmed as the Blues’ new strength and conditioning coach.

He replaces Jamie Roper in a department of Simpson’s backroom staff which has expanded recently.

Kwiecien was with the squad for the first time at Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Leyton Orient, alongside head of performance Jake Simpson.

The former Aldershot Town and Swindon Town coach will help make the Blues’ players more robust, manager Simpson believes.

“Adam has come in to help us,” said Simpson of the appointment.

“The evidence of that won’t be here now. Hopefully by getting that department a bit stronger it will give us an opportunity to build players’ fitness levels, to get them up to a point that they’re strong enough to finish the season.

News and Star: Adam Kwiecien, centre, with head of performance Jake Simpson, left, and manager Paul Simpson, rightAdam Kwiecien, centre, with head of performance Jake Simpson, left, and manager Paul Simpson, right (Image: Amy Nixon / CUFC)

“I think it’s a big part of football now, the strength and conditioning.”

United’s recruitment process for the S&C vacancy saw the club receive a host of applications from candidates in the UK and overseas.

Asked why Kwiecien was the top choice, Simpson explained: “Basically, he’s got experience of doing the job, he came across really well over two interviews, we decided he was the right one.

“He’s prepared to commit to coming up and living in the city which is fantastic.

“He’s really keen to come and help the department, and hopefully we’ll see the benefit of that as we go through the next months and years ahead.”

Kwiecien's previous roles include work at non-league club PFC Victoria London, and the Magic Football Academy in the capital.

He has a BSc in Sport Science and Coaching and an MSc in Strength and Conditioning.

Simpson did not rule out further backroom staff additions down the line.

“As it stands at the moment I’m happy with the group we’ve got, [but] we may need to get an extra pair of hands in on the physio side,” said the Blues boss, speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat in east London.