Carlisle United Football Club

“We are looking for a bit of experience to add to the mix,” he said. “There’s a 31-year old striker I’m looking at and a 28-year old combative midfield player. 

“They have a little bit of know-how and they are both good, strong characters. That’s exactly what I need. They know their roles and responsibilities in the team, and in the changing room, and that’s another thing we need. They’re leaders and good people."

“I have an ongoing list of players who have come to mind and who we are considering," he told us. "I think it was at seven at one point last week, but that changes as and when they go to other football clubs. 

"We have a process where we’ve had me, Colin West, Lee Dykes, Tony Caig and Paul Thirlwell out watching games and following up on leads and information.

“We’ve all got contacts in the game and we have a grading and marking system we use for the players to assist us. The number of players we’ve watched between us, since I‘ve been here, has been phenomenal."

"I spoke to one player who has gone into his club today with his agent to try and negotiate a compromise agreement to get away from that club," he commented.

"Once that is done we will finalise the finer details of the contract here. We are hoping that will be done by dinner time today so he can make his way up here.

"The second target I was hopeful of getting into the building has had interest from a League One club. They are looking at taking him on loan until the end of the season with a view to a contract if he plays a certain amount of games and scores goals.

"That is a slight stumbling block because he is negotiating with them to see if he can get another year playing in League One."