Keith Curle reckons his early work in the transfer market will make his existing Carlisle United players sit up and take notice.

The manager believes the capture of Nicky Adams and Joe McKee sends out a message.

Curle says the double swoop proves competition for places at Brunton Park will be stronger than ever next season.

He said the arrival of the pair will underline his claim that no player will be guaranteed their place in the 2016/17 campaign.

Curle said: "There will be players on holiday at the moment seeing who we have signed.

"There's nothing wrong with those players coming back into a competitive environment.

"I enjoy the fact no player has a God-given right to be in the starting XI - they've got to earn it.

"We try to enhance that and make sure players fully understand that, every time they get given a shirt, performing to keep it for the next week is the challenge."

Curle is chasing more targets having made Adams and McKee his first recruits of the close-season.

The manager insists he has enough leeway with his budget to make further positive inroads into the market.

United's boss claimed he "didn't get exactly" the spending power he wanted from United's owners.

But he said he will have enough cash to make Carlisle an improved side next season, whilst also leaving some funds in reserve.

He said: "We're going shopping with a few quid. There's nothing worse than walking around shops and seeing things you like but can't afford.

"It's nice to go out with few quid in your pocket, saying, I can afford him, but there might be something else around the corner, so we'll wait.

"There has to be the right hunger from the players we look to bring in. People have to see us being progressive."

On his licence to strengthen the squad from the United board, Curle said: "We had preliminary conversations regarding the budget, which will see us being able to compete for the players I think we need to have another succesful season.

"I didn't get exactly what I wanted but that's part of the negotiations. I know there is a bit more money there if we hit the ground running. We have left a little bit of change in the kitty so we can continue that progression as and when needed."