Boss Keith Curle is looking forward to the festive period as Carlisle United aim to go top of the League Two table on Boxing Day.

If the Blues overcome Crewe and current leaders Plymouth Argyle lose to Wycombe, United will move back to the top of the pile.

The Blues have sold over 1,200 tickets for their Boxing Day clash at Crewe’s Alexandra Stadium.

“As a football club, we travel very, very well,” Curle told the Blues website.

“I’ve also got to say, the 4,800-5,000 loyal supporters we are getting at Brunton Park week in and week out are very much appreciated.

“I can see them, I can hear them and I can feel them behind me. The terraces are alive. There is a buzz about the terraces.”

“When I first came, I could hear the grumbles,” he added.

“[Fans] weren’t happy with this, weren’t happy with that. A few of the people in the Paddock behind were spending a lot of time shouting at the Main Stand.

“But, I think now, the big thing you notice is they are watching what is going on, on the pitch.

“You now have people in the Paddock and in the Pioneer Stand, who are seeing entertaining football.

“They are seeing commitment [from the players] and they are enjoying it.”

Curle’s men will again be on the road on New Year’s Eve as they travel to Notts County.

But, just two days later, they will return to action at Brunton Park when they host Grimsby.

Curle said: “The supporters of Carlisle know where Brunton Park is.

“And they know on a Saturday afternoon, when they hear the roars and the cheers, there is something happening down there and it’s well worth a look.”

Meanwhile, Crewe manager Steve Davis has praised Curle for his work with the Cumbrians.

Ahead of Monday’s clash, Davis said on Crewe's website: “Carlisle have had a great season and have been able to sustain their form, which is never easy.

“They have become really hard to beat and Keith deserves great credit.

“He has built on last season and has a good level of experience in his squad.

“They made some really good signings and their consistently means they are in the automatic spots and look like staying there.”

Former Crewe man Shaun Miller will return to his old club with the Blues on Monday.