Hughes 'comfortable' with Carlisle summer rebuild

Mark Hughes has never previously managed in the National League

Carlisle United head coach Mark Hughes says he is "comfortable" with how the club's summer recruitment is going.

The Cumbrians have so far brought in five new players as they attempt to rebuild in the National League.

After suffering successive relegations, Carlisle are facing a first year in the fifth tier since 2005.

"I feel quite comfortable in terms of the recruitment area," Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria. "I think we're doing very well in that regard."

Among the headline incomings, Carlisle have signed Regan Linney, last season's second top scorer in the National League, from Altrincham, while defender Morgan Feeney, a promotion winner with the Blues in 2023, has returned for a second spell.

And Hughes, who has a new backroom team in Frankie McAvoy and Gavin Skelton after the departure of long-time number two Glyn Hodges, says he is still looking to add to his squad further.

But he knows there is less time pressure this summer as there is no transfer window in place in the National League.

"I'm quite happy with how we're going," Hughes said.

"We've made some really good additions that will strengthen us and the guys who've worked with me before will know what I want and what I demand, so in terms of hitting the ground running, I think we'll be in a good place.

"You never say never in terms of numbers, but maybe two or three new faces.

"Some players obviously will still leave but the numbers will be around 20, 22, which is a good number and more manageable."