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Carlisle United should still be targeting promotion this season, according to their American owner Tom Piatak.

That is despite them sitting 22nd in League Two, having lost five of their opening six league games.

Piatak is close to appointing both a sporting director and a head coach after the departure of manager Paul Simpson last month.

"Promotion is still the target," Piatak .

"There have been many teams who have had starts like this, that's why we had to make the change as early as we did."

Piatak, who has been in charge at Brunton Park for less than a year, has been fully involved in the process of replacing Simpson and said he has been "thrilled" with the volume and quality of candidates.

And he expects both the head coach and sporting director to be in position ahead of the team's next game away to Swindon Town on Saturday.

"I'm thrilled with the process, I'm thrilled with the candidates, I'm thrilled with the selections that we've made," Piatak said.

"They're the right folks to take this team forward and I can't wait to see when everybody hears who they are and their experience and what they have been able to do.

"Generally, I think everybody will be very pleased with the selections."