Keith Curle refused to shed light on why Jabo Ibehre was omitted from the Carlisle United squad at Exeter, only claiming: I get paid to make decisions.

Ibehre was not involved in the squad and it is understood the striker is nursing a minor injury.

But manager Curle declined to confirm that his top scorer was sidelined, only saying that he was "happy" with his "selection".

Curle said Ibehre would "hopefully" be available for next Saturday's clash with Wycombe, with the Cumbrians now four points outside the play-off places.

In the striker's absence, Charlie Wyke and Hallam Hope scored in United's 2-2 draw in Devon, in a game held up for more than an hour after a smoke bomb triggered a fire alarm and forced a stand to be evacuated.

On Ibehre, who was replaced by Steven Rigg for the Cumbrian's first start since September, Curle said: "I get paid to make decisions.

"I manage from within. I know what's going on, see what's going on, and it was important this week I made decisions I felt were right for the club."

Curle also refused to elaborate on his decision to drop Michael Raynes to the bench for the first time this season, as David Atkinson and Mark Ellis started at centre-half.

Curle said: "Players know why they weren't involved or selected, and more importantly the players who were selected know why."

Curle is giving most of his squad the next two days off after a gruelling run of nine games in 29 days.

While the United boss said there will be a reserve friendly at Brunton Park tomorrow afternoon, he said most of his first-team players had earned a breather ahead of the remaining 11 fixtures.

"Travelling does take its toll and the players have been exceptional in terms of how they’ve attacked it," Curle said.

"They get rewarded now - and the season has got to start now for us to make that push."

United will check on David Atkinson after the defender had to be subbed in the second half at Exeter with a dead leg, while Curle said Antony Sweeney is back in light training.

The manager and his backroom staff will be watching games today in the hope United can make a transfer breakthrough before next Thursday's loan deadline.

While United moved up a place, the gap to the play-offs increased with the Blues having won just three of their last 13 league games.

But Curle said: "One win against somebody around us and were on the edges of it again.

"There's room for a team to make a late run with late momentum."

On Saturday's hour-long stoppage at St James' Park, the Blues boss added: "It was a massive distraction for the supporters, the players, for everybody, and restarting the game took a bit of time.

"But we settled very well and looked the more dominant of either team."