Paul Simpson says Carlisle United have “active” goalkeeping targets – and has not ruled out signing another striker.
The Blues boss is keen to bring in another senior keeper this month.
Young Cumbrian Gabe Breeze has impressed since coming into the side for the last three games in place of Tomas Holy.
But manager Simpson, who should also be able to call on Jokull Andresson after injury later this month, still wants to add another gloveman.
Asked for the latest on the keeper hunt, he told the News & Star: “There are a couple of things that are active on it.
“We’ve had one we’ve had our eye on for quite a while that’s sort of dragging on.
“We’ve got a few different options that we’re looking at in terms of an experienced one or even some young ones.
“I do think it’s an area we need to strengthen. I think Gabe’s done really well, and deserves to stay in the side for this weekend, I’ve got no doubts about that.
“But it’s something that, with 21 games to go, we need to look at strengthening that.”
United’s early business in the January transfer window has seen a striker, a midfielder and a defender join the Blues in the shape of Luke Armstrong, Harrison Neal and Seán Grehan.
Heading out of Brunton Park has been a further striker in Luke Plange, who has returned to parent club Crystal Palace.
Asked if that move could lead to another forward being targeted, Simpson said: “I think if the right player was to come up then we would look at it.
“It’s just finding them – and we’ve enquired about lots and lots of players that have not come to us for one reason or another, and some which we’re still waiting for decisions on.
“The door is still open if we think the right player is out there that can come and help us.
“But everybody in January is in a position where, if you’ve got forward players who are doing well, they’re very reluctant to let them go.
“So it’s a tough one, getting them in, but we’re going to keep working, we’ve still got funds available to be able to do it and we’ll work as long as we can.”
Simpson said there were “some real long discussions” ongoing with certain targets as he aims to add potentially two more players to his squad.
The manager, meanwhile, cooled speculation linking Newport County striker Will Evans to the Blues.
When asked by BBC Radio Cumbria, Simpson said: “That’s the first time that’s ever been spoken about to me. That’s certainly not something that’s imminent.”
Carlisle's signings to date come after the club's owners, the Piatak family, pledged to back Simpson with a "step change" budget in the January window.
Simpson said of the American family's backing: "They’ve set the parameters of what we’re allowed to do, and they’re trusting us to get on with it.
"I have Zoom calls with them each week, and we’re fortunate they’ve been in the country for the last few weeks and we’ve been able to sit down face to face.
"They know where I’m looking to strengthen, they know the work we’re doing and the targets we’ve got and they’re fully behind us.
"They’re saying, 'This is what we have available financially, go and do what you can'.
"Everything still has to be managed, it isn’t an open chequebook, we’re managing it within the realities of where we are as a football club, but it certainly gives us a real fighting chance to be able to bring these players in."
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