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Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson is targeting League One survival as a stepping stone before the club can grow under their new ownership.

The Blues were taken over last month by American businessman Thomas Piatak and his Castle Sports Group.

Simpson has been given an increased budget for the transfer window and hopes to sign "at least two new players" in early January.

Carlisle are currently 22nd in League One, three points from safety.

They have taken only one point from their last four games and were beaten 5-1 away at Reading last time out.

A deal for a free-agent goalkeeper fell through after they discovered that he was still registered to another club, but Simpson is hopeful of soon having additions to his injury-hit squad.

"There are a lot of things going on in the background," he told ������̳ Radio Cumbria.

"We are hoping that we will agree deals for at least two players to be in for that second game in January, away to Exeter City (6 January).

"We've exhausted the free-agent market in terms of players [head of recruitment] Greg Abbott and I believe can help us.

"We've hit a brick wall with that and I don't think there's anyone else who can come and make a difference for us."

'Whole outlook will change'

Carlisle's new circumstances will allow more strength in the transfer market and Simpson recognises that the Blues are now a more attractive proposition.

But, for him, surviving in the third tier is crucial in regards to how quickly the club can develop.

"The whole outlook of the football club will be different, whether that is from 1 January or certainly from the start of next season," he said ahead of his side's game at Blackpool on Saturday.

"The big challenge we have is to be in League One for next season.

"Then we can give ourselves a real fighting chance of really building the club to be even better."

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