Carlisle United: Simpson on contract talks and 'commitment'

But the manager says anyone in two minds about staying with the club should probably look to move on.

Simpson says Carlisle only want players who are totally committed to being at Brunton Park.

A contract offer for Owen Moxon has long been on the table without any progress, while the Blues boss confirmed today that offers had also been made to certain other players.

“There hasn’t been [any progress],” said Simpson. “The players know what we can offer, what we have offered.

“There are still conversations going on but we’re no further down the line with them. There’s not been any change.

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“I hope there will be as we move further forward.

“I don’t know whether or not people are waiting, firstly [to see if] anybody wants them in January, but I think more importantly, secondly, what we’re going to do as a football club.

“I think all the signs are really positive. I don’t think any player who’s been walking around this football club can not feel the positivity of what the changes are going to be.

Paul Simpson (Image: Ben Holmes)

“Hopefully they’ll make a decision that they want to stay with us.

“The truth of it is, though, is that we only want players here that are really committed to this football club.

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“If there’s any doubt in their mind, it’s probably not the right thing for them.

“We’ve got to do what we believe is right for the club. The players we’ve spoken to about contracts obviously realise I think it’s right for them to stay.

“But if they don’t want to be here, there’s nothing about that for them to be embarrassed about, but they’ve got to accept we’ve got to move on as well.”

The talks come as Simpson prepares for a big overhaul of his squad in the January transfer window, with the Blues boss hoping to make a number of signings.

United’s boss did not name any of the players who had received offers.

Speaking in November, Simpson said top scorer Jordan Gibson would be “one to think about” when it came to discussions about the future.