Keith Curle says he will give Clint Hill the chance to develop his coaching skills at Carlisle United even though his first priority will be performing on the pitch.

The veteran new signing is eyeing a Blues debut at Crewe tomorrow after joining on a short-term deal.

Manager Curle believes Hill will prove a quality addition to United's defensive line as they chase an improvement in fortunes.

The 38-year-old, though, will also have one eye on his long-term future in the game during his time in Cumbria.

Curle said: "Clint wants to stay in football and become a coach.

"I've said to him I will give him coaching programmes, assess him, give him feedback and direction on how he can improve his coaching.

"Sometimes older players who go into coaching, have this philosophy that they want to put on training sessions to entertain players. That is completely different to coaching sessions where you have a start, a middle and an end.

"I'll put the camera on him and record him, so he can hear the feedback that he's given. I do the same with my first-team coaches now.

"It's going to help Clint develop his own coaching style but make sure he's got the basics so that afterwards he's happy with his delivery."

Curle suggested Hill will be allowed to oversee some first-team sessions whilst also working with United's young development and fringe players.

He added: "There are sessions you can put on and be involved in yourself - the basics of defending, team play, as and when it's right.

"First of all, Clint's been brought in as a player. It's similar to when I first joined Neil Warnock at Sheffield United. When it suited me, and we had a free week of games, I was given a couple of defending sessions to put on.

"Clint knows the game inside out and imparting that information is key."

If Hill starts at the Alexandra Stadium tomorrow he will be United's oldest debutant since Pop Robson began his third spell at the club in 1984.

He will also be Carlisle's oldest player since Paul Simpson's final appearance aged 39 in 2006.

Curle added: "He's going to take a little bit of time to get up to speed and match tempo, [but] he's involved in the squad [tomorrow].

"Having somebody of Clint's temperament and ability around the group has had an effect already.

"People have said Clint impressed after a 'trial'. Clint Hill didn't need a trial. I know what Clint can do. It [Tuesday's friendly against Morecambe] was for his and my peace of mind - Clint wanted to have an hour of football under his belt.

"He's a fit lad, always has been, is in very good condition, and he's another player that young professionals can look up to.

"He conducts himself in the right way and in every session he goes out and applies himself. The more people you have like that around you, the easier my job becomes."

Curle claimed the former Rangers and QPR had been impressed with United's set-up as he agreed terms this week.

United's manager would not say how long his short-term deal runs for but in an interview on Carlisle's official website the defender hinted that things could be reassessed after three months.

The Blues boss also suggested he had given Hill stronger assurances that he would play regularly than the 38-year-old had been able to gain when back at QPR recently.

Curle added: "Before committing to something, Clint said he needed to fully know the boundaries and expectations of the training regime.

"He'd been at other League Two clubs [but] he was impressed with our set-up, how we do things and how we're looking to improve.

"Clint wanted to make sure the environment he was walking into was healthy. [At QPR] I think he knew he wasn't going to be playing week-in, week-out."

Curle also believes the experienced defender will be able to figure regularly in a busy fixture calendar, and will manage his workload accordingly.

"When you get to the latter stages of your career, you don't rack up training sessions, you rack up matches," Curle said.

"When I went to Sheffield United, I trained once a week and played games. I'd rather play three games a week, Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, than have training sessions in between.

"Clint's pretty similar to that. I've got a good understanding of how older pros need to be treated and looked after."

On the terms of Hill's deal, Curle said: "It's a short-term deal that can be extended by both parties.

"If Clint's in the team, enjoying his football and we're doing well, it suits us. If Clint's not in the team, we're not doing well, he can't be selected, [it will be different]. He's come here to play games."

Asked when the defender will bring to United's side, Curle added: "Clint is an aggressive character - at the drop of a hat he will look for a challenge.

"But the lad can play as well.

"What impressed me when I first went to watch him in Stoke reserves is his understanding, reading of the game and his left foot.

"He's got good accuracy, delivery, awareness, appreciation with his passing, and does it with an air of aggression.

"You don't play where he has if you haven't got that mix and blend. If it's a game of football, Clint can play football. If it's backs to the wall, toe to toe, you won't find Clint taking a backward step."