Keith Curle is hoping for positive responses from the five players who have now been handed official contract offers at Carlisle United.

Curle says the offer of extended deals were formally tabled last week to Jason Kennedy, Michael Raynes, Mark Gillespie, Danny Grainger and Luke Joyce.

United are seeking answers soon from the five, with Curle having suggested that it is a top priority this month.

It may also have an influence on Curle's short-term budget, and the Blues boss has stressed that the five players can have a significant future at Brunton Park.

"I'd like to think they're happy and performing - that they see the club they're at as a progressive football club and one that’s going in right direction," the United manager said.

"The offer from the club has been made by myself and it's official now - they know exactly what the offer is."

Curle said he wanted the players and their representatives to come back to him and chief executive Nigel Clibbens with an answer "at the earliest opportunity".

Midfielder Joyce, defender Raynes and injured captain Grainger have already said publicly that they would be happy to extend their deals.

Raynes is expected to return from a virus to face Morecambe this weekend having been sidelined for the 4-1 defeat to Colchester on Saturday.

Colchester boss John McGreal has hailed his team's performance against a United side he regards as serious contenders in League Two.

McGreal, December's manager of the month, said: "Carlisle are a good team, they are third in the league and they are up there for a reason.

“They kept going, even when they fell behind twice, but we managed to restrict them in the second half and had a lot of chances ourselves."

United have been allocated 1,500 terracing tickets and 339 seating tickets for the trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, January 21.

They must be bought in advance as it is an all-ticket game. Priced £20 (adult), £15 (64+/student/under-18) and £12 (under-12), they are on sale now.