Keith Curle insists Carlisle United will not be going to QPR just to make the numbers up in tonight’s Capital One Cup tie.

The Blues’ latest long midweek trip sees them face Chris Ramsey’s Championship side at Loftus Road (kick-off 7.45pm).

The second round tie sees Curle return to the club where he spent two years as coach. And the United manager pledged Carlisle would be aiming to trip up Rangers, who were relegated from the top-flight in May.

Curle said: “We’re not going down there just to make the numbers up.

“We’re going with a game plan that we think can cause them problems.”

United’s manager is likely to rotate his side further tonight, with both managers expected to rest some of their key first-team players for crucial league games.

For United that could hand opportunities to former QPR man Angelo Balanta and others who were on the bench on Saturday, such as Steven Rigg, Patrick Brough and Alex McQueen.

It would be a surprise, meanwhile, if the hosts include their in-demand striker Charlie Austin, with Ramsey more likely to hand recalls to the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Seb Polter and Michael Doughty, while new keeper Alex Smithies could make his debut.

The tie will see Carlisle – who are awaiting their first league win – bid to take their second successive scalp in this competition having ousted League One side Chesterfield in the first round.

Curle says he has fond memories of his own time at Loftus Road, where he worked under Neil Warnock.

He said: “My abiding memory is of going up as champions.

“We went there and stopped the slide, because they were in a precarious position and getting closer to the bottom of the division.

“Myself and Neil brought players in we thought could get us at the right end of the division. Quickly we were able to create that winning mentality and team ethos, and ultimately got the prize of playing in the Premier League.

“A lot of the personnel have changed – I think there’s only Clint Hill and Ali Faurlin still there from my time – and they’ve been on a rollercoaster of a journey.

“But it’s a quality football club and a great environment and atmosphere to play football in.”

While Curle has this week spoken out about United’s fixture list, calling on the Football League to rethink the scheduling of long midweek trips, the manager whose squad travelled yesterday – insists the Blues can cope with another long journey.

He added: “We’ve got enough strength in depth and time to recuperate. But it’s the mental side.

“The human body is a fantastic machine. If you say you’ve emptied the tank but keep going, it means there is more in there. That’s something I’m working on.

“I don’t like negativity or mental weakness. I can accept when things don’t go your way but not for the lack of effort.”