Tom Miller believes Carlisle United will rise to the challenge of being seen as League Two title contenders.

The defender reckons the unbeaten Blues - who face Stevenage today (Lamex Stadium, 3pm) - are now regarded as one of the leading lights in their division.

But Miller says Keith Curle's players are equipped to deal with opponents who try and knock them off course.

The right-back said: "Teams are going to look at us now as title contenders.

"It's not going to be easy, because they are going to throw everything at us, and also come to Brunton Park and try to kill games.

"But we've got the players to deal with that.

"Last weekend against Hartlepool showed the kind of qualities you need to go up.

"We are showing good signs and need to continue."

Third-placed United will break a club record if they extend their unbeaten league start to 14 games today.

Manager Curle is set to be without at least two members of his in-form side after revealing an unnamed player has been ruled out for three weeks with injury.

Shaun Miller is also suspended, while Jabo Ibehre (hamstring) will be assessed in the build-up.

For defender Miller, meanwhile, it is a return to the ground where his late strike earned the Blues a 1-0 win last season.

The 26-year-old said: "It was a good second half for me - the first half wasn't so great and I remember the gaffer having a few words at half-time.

"You have games like that sometimes. But to come out and get the winner in the second half was nice and it would be lovely if I could do the same again."

Miller insists Curle's team are not dwelling on their feats so far - as they want to emulate some of last season's top teams by stringing more wins together.

The ex-Lincoln man added: "Those winning runs are massive in this league - you look at the likes of Northampton and Bristol Rovers last year and they did that, going four, five or more games without getting beaten.

"Obviously it's always nice to break records, but you've got to take each game as it comes.

"If we get carried away thinking about this unbeaten run and the start we've had it could affect you going forward.

"The gaffer makes sure we focus on the next game rather than rest on our laurels because we've done so well.

"None of the lads want to sit back anyway. That's the mentality we have."

Miller added: "Stevenage will be another different test. Every side has their strengths and it's up to us to stop them playing the way they want, and take the game to them."

Curle has this week highlighted Carlisle's growing set-piece threat and long-throw expert Miller believes this is an area that can keep benefiting the side.

He said: "Set-pieces is something the gaffer and his staff wanted to nail down. Some teams who did well last year scored a lot of goals from set-pieces, like Northampton.

"I think it will continue to pay off because we're doing it in fine detail."