Keith Curle has welcomed Mark Ellis’s decision to remain with Carlisle United for the hectic festive period.

The defender extended his loan from Shrewsbury until the new year.

That means experienced Ellis can play a central part in the Blues’ bid to consolidate their place in the promotion race.

After this Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Welling, Ellis can also be involved in key League Two games against Oxford, Notts County, Accrington, Hartlepool and Plymouth.

It follows a six-game spell in his first month at Brunton Park, when the 27-year-old has impressed manager Curle.

The Blues boss said: “He was with a team which got promoted out of this division last season and he has a good amount of experience in a key position on the pitch.

“He’s said himself that he thinks there’s even more to come and he’s the type of character we want to have around.

“We like having him here as much as he likes being here.”

Ellis’ loan now runs until January 2, with Curle failing in an attempt to secure the former Torquay and Crewe man until the end of the season.

That was the manager’s preference but Curle had to settle for a shorter-term agreement after talks between United and Ellis’s parent club in League One.

Ellis has helped the Blues to four victories in his six games so far.

He is eligible to play for United in the FA Cup, with Shrewsbury having given the defender permission to play in the first round win at Plymouth.

Another loanee, forward Hallam Hope, is hoping to return in time for this Sunday’s tie in Kent.

Defender Tom Miller is also bidding to be available after a hamstring problem, while United are further assessing the ankle ligament damage suffered by forward Steven Rigg on his loan debut for Barrow.

Curle, meanwhile, is weighing up the future of five players on short-term contracts and said one of the five, winger Joe Thompson, had impressed him with his late cameo in Saturday’s win aganist Crawley.

Curle said: “I’m lucky enough that I see the players every day.

“I was pleased with Joe. He has had to bide his time and has been slightly unlucky the games he has started - things have transpired so that we haven’t been able to play in a way that suited him.

“But Saturday was a good example of what Joe can bring. The last thing Crawley will have wanted was someone who’s got legs and a willingness to run at you.

“He’s got a good understanding of the different formations and shapes we use.”