Boss Keith Curle will go to the wire on loan deadline day in a bid to further bolster Carlisle United’s play-off chasing squad.

Having extended Bury striker Hallam Hope’s stay with the Blues until January 9, the United manager has until 5pm to make further temporary additions before the new year.

And Curle insisted he was in the market for a number of targets, with young Championship players in his sights.

The Blues chief said he was knocked back this week in a move for teenage Nottingham Forest winger Oliver Burke, but other second-tier players are being pursued.

Curle said: “We’re striving to improve the team, squad, and club and we’ve got a few irons in the fire.

“We’ve got players [in mind] who are on the fringes of Championship clubs, in the 18 and 20 regularly but not getting the game-time they need.

“As other clubs are improving their squads those players might go down the pecking order and it would be an ideal opportunity for them to come out and play league football, whether for a month, two or three months, or until the end of the season.”

There also remains the possibility of some of United’s out-of-favour players leaving on loan, with Curle having insisted he wants to trim his squad.

The Blues last night clinched a loan extension for Hope, who has been out recently with injury.

The Bury man has scored once in three outings for Carlisle so far. “Hallam is a player who has qualities we like,” Curle told the club website. “He’s been left out as a precaution recently, because of the rehab work he’s doing on his ankle injury, but he shouldn’t be too far away from a return.

“We think there’s more to come from him.”

A similar agreement is being sought for Shrewsbury defender Mark Ellis, who plays the last game of his month’s loan against Crawley this weekend.

The Blues manager, meanwhile, has issued a challenge to Carlisle’s supporters to pack Brunton Park for this Saturday’s cut-price clash.

Tickets for the Crawley game are just £10 for adults, whether seating or standing, if bought before match day.

Curle says the never-say-die displays of his team, who came from 3-1 down to beat Luton 4-3 on Tuesday, deserve as much backing as possible.

Curle said: “We need the supporters to do it. Can we get 6,500-7,000 people? That’s a challenge.

“Everybody bring a mate. Convert them into Carlisle United fans. It can be done.

“There’s a deal on offer – come and watch us. We entertain and there’s going to be goals.

“You’ll get value for money for your £10.”