The Preston Nort End boss claims he has hit a brick wall of unhelpfulness from Premiership and Championship clubs as he tries to recruit temporary replacements for Paul McKenna and Simon Whaley.
"Unfortunately no one seems willing to help us out at the moment," he said, as he appeared to be losing the battle to bring in at least one new face in time for Monday's televised game with Southampton at Deepdale (8pm).
"All the phone calls and enquiries we have made over the last three to four weeks have been wasted calls really.
"But I'm not going to give up. We will keep trying and we will keep plugging away.
"If people keep saying 'No' to me I will keep going back and keep trying."
Simpson said clubs in the top half of the Championship are unwilling to help out another promotion rival as the race for a top-six finish reaches its final lap.
And clubs in the top flight are also proving unhelpful because of the intensity of competition at home and abroad.
"I have been trying desperately, but no one will allow players to leave their club," he said.
"At the moment we have
"But we don't have enough back-up of the quality that I would like to really help us with this final push.
"Unfortunately we are in a situation, because we are up near the top end of the table, where there are probably 10 or 11 clubs who won't even consider doing any business with us. I can understand their reluctance, totally.
"In the Premiership, clubs are still involved in cup competitions, whether it is domestic or European, and there is also so much to play for in the league as well.
So they won't allow their players to come out.
"But I will continue making calls, right up to the transfer deadline."
North End have until the last Thursday of this month to strengthen their squad.
Simpson's need for midfield reinforcements will be evident tonight when, barring any last-minute change of luck, engine room staff will be thin on the ground.
McKenna had a hernia operation in Germany on Saturday and will be out of action for at least two weeks.
So Danny Pugh, Chris Sedgwick, Michael Ricketts and a fit-again Callum
Davidson could all be in the frame to do the job tonight, alongside new boy Pavel Pergl.
Who would you make a move for? Leave your comments below.
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