Keith Curle says only a big crowd against Barnet next weekend will enable him to make the signings he needs before the end of the transfer window.

The Carlisle United boss is desperate to bolster his squad with new faces after a run of four games without a win.

Curle said he wants "two or three" additions before the end of the month to help the depleted Blues return to form.

But he said his recruitment will be at the mercy of the size of the crowd at United's next home game.

The manager launched his appeal after United were held 1-1 by 10-man Accrington on Saturday.

Curle said: "I make no mistake about it - my campaign this week is going to be that we need everybody to come to Brunton Park.

"It is the last opportunity we're going to have to get money into the club on a serious note, and be able to use that money in the transfer market to bring in more quality players.

"It's a massive opportunity for us as a local community to support the football club and put money directly into my budget."

Curle said he felt he already had enough money in his current budget to make one signing, but "ideally" would prefer another two players.

He claimed to have missed out on one target last week due to the player's financial demands.

"If we get six-and-a-half to seven thousand, that potentially would free up money to bring in two players on loan," he added.

"If not, and we hit our average of around 5,000, the likelihood is there won't be any changes and we'll have to go with what we've got.

"We are in a finance game. The higher divisions are awash with money and they don’t know what to spend it on, but in the fourth tier of English football we need people through the gates.

"If you're a Carlisle supporter, bring your neighbour, bring your mates, your mate's mates, anybody who says they're a Carlisle fan but haven't been for ages - come to this one."

It is not the first time that Curle has openly appealed for bigger crowds to boost his spending power.

His latest call comes after he transfer-listed three players last week, following the departure of four others from the wage bill.

Gary Liddle's arrival and Macaulay Gillesphey's loan extension are the only pieces of incoming business so far this window.

Finances have been so tight recently that Curle said chairman Andrew Jenkins had loaned the club more money to cover a "shortfall" and enable the signing of Liddle.

Curle said he would be working hard to make additions and added: "I've got to do my job now and there might still be some wheeler dealing to do.

"With some people who started [against Accrington], or who got brought on, there might be room for me to manoeuvre."

United remained in the automatic promotion places after Saturday's draw, three points above the play-offs, but having now played a game more than fourth-placed Portsmouth whose game at Crawley was postponed.