Carlisle United manager Keith Curle is giving two of his summer trialists extra time to win a deal with the Blues.

The squad are spending the next three days at a luxury leisure resort in Cheshire as their pre-season build-up continues.

And remaining with the Blues for further assessment are goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin and French striker Junior Joachim.

Curle confirmed they are being retained after featuring in United's latest friendly, Saturday's 3-1 win at Workington Reds.

They could now get a further chance to impress in Wednesday's game at Warrington Town.

United's boss has been trying to keep the identities of trialists under wraps during the early stages of pre-season.

But the presence of ex-MK Dons keeper McLoughlin and former Nancy forward Joachim is now an open secret among Blues fans, with the latter present at the club's community fun day yesterday.

The United boss, who has released other hopefuls, says the trialists must prove they can add something extra to a squad he hopes can mount a promotion push.

Curle said: "Now we're at the stage where the players who come into the squad have got to have different skill sets to what's already in the building.

"We've got a good complement, and good choices in certain areas.

"But there's still room for potential additions."

United's manager says he still wants to add another frontman and an extra defensive option as he bids to finalise his recruitment ahead of the new campaign.

He is understood to retain an interest in Newcastle defender Macaulay Gillesphey, who spent most of last season on loan at Brunton Park, but is prepared to be patient as the Magpies assess the 21-year-old during their own pre-season build-up.

Curle, meanwhile, says the next three days spent at Mottram Hall will be essential for the next stages of preparation and team bonding.

He said: "It's to completely and utterly have the players at our disposal 24 hours a day, whereby nothing gets diluted.

"That covers anything we do on the training ground, and we've also got meeting rooms and video analysis rooms where we can discuss the games we've played, and various different things.

"We create our own DNA now as a group when we go and travel away."

Mottram Hall has an FA-approved football pitch as well as fitness facilities, golf course and spa.

Striker Charlie Wyke could return to action this week as he recovers from the calf injury he suffered against Queen of the South last Tuesday.

The frontman was involved in United's open training session yesterday.

Curle added: "Charlie just popped his ankle, but we've been able to keep him fit while he's been resting, and now he's able to come straight back into the group."

New signings Shaun Miller, Russell Penn and Joe McKee grabbed their first United goals in Saturday's win at Borough Park, with defender Shaun Brisley making his first Carlisle outing.