Captain Danny Grainger has urged Carlisle United's players to pick themselves up from back-to-back defeats as they enter a "massive period" of league games that could define their promotion challenge.

The Blues, now out of all cup competitions, resume their bid for League Two glory when they go to fellow contenders Luton tomorrow.

That is followed by next week's visit of play-off hopefuls Yeovil followed by festive trips to Crewe and Notts County.

Keith Curle's side could return to the top of the table tomorrow if they win and leaders Doncaster slip up at third-placed Plymouth.

The Cumbrians will also be out to further boost their seven-point gap between themselves and the play-off places, with fifth-placed Luton among the chasing pack.

With such a key period ahead, Cumbrian Grainger has urged the Blues not to spend long licking their wounds after departures from the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy in the last seven days.

The 30-year-old said: "We know what we have to do - and we have a massive set of games coming up.

"Most of the teams in and around us play each other over the next few weeks, so this is a massive period now, if we go through these games and pick up some decent points.

"There's not many harder places to go than Luton on a Saturday. They had a positive result on Tuesday and will be full of confidence.

"But we'll be looking at picking ourselves up. There's enough in this dressing room. The lads will be driving each other on to make sure we're ready to go at Luton."

United's 3-2 Trophy defeat to Mansfield on Tuesday, four days after the 2-0 FA Cup loss to Rochdale, was the first time they have suffered successive setbacks since February 2015.

Both games saw the Blues miss out on potential future windfalls in the respective competitions, which could affect manager Curle's spending power in the January transfer window.

But United's league record remains formidable, with only one defeat from 19 games so far this term.

Curle is likely to recall senior players he rested on Tuesday night, including Mark Gillespie, Nicky Adams, Mike Jones, Michael Raynes and Jason Kennedy.

The manager may also revert to a flat back four after experimenting with three at the back against Mansfield, though Grainger did not feel Tuesday's system was to blame for the result.

"We've played in that formation before, against Oldham, Derby, and Fleetwood, and seemed to start well in those games," he said.

"It would be easy to blame that but it would be just an excuse. We've got players who accept we just didn't perform well enough."

Luton boss Nathan Jones is likely to include former Carlisle loanees Alex Gilliead, Jordan Cook and Jack Marriott, while Curle was yesterday checking on the fitness of Jabo Ibehre and Joe McKee.

Grainger had stitches in a cut above his eye on Tuesday night and ended the game with his head bandaged, but that will not keep him out of tomorrow's test.

New signings Alex McQueen and Kevin Wright will be hoping to be involved in the squad for the league encounter having both played 45 minutes against Mansfield.

Curle, meanwhile, must make a decision soon on Derek Asamoah's future with the veteran striker's two-month contract set to expire next week.

Asamoah, 35, has made one start and seven sup appearances without scoring since he rejoined the Blues in October.

Curle has said the club is still waiting for Newcastle to make a decision on defender Macaulay Gillesphey's future, with his half-season loan up next month.

Top scorer Charlie Wyke, meanwhile, missed out on November's player of the month award in League Two.

Grimsby frontman Omar Bogle was the winner, with Wycombe's Gareth Ainsworth named manager of the month.