Defenders David Atkinson and Kevin Wright leave Carlisle United

Both players had their contracts cancelled by mutual consent - a further sign the Blues are trying to make space on the wage bill for new faces.

Atkinson and Wright took the number of players to head for the exit at Brunton Park in the space of a week to four, with Derek Asamoah and Russell Penn having also departed.

Curle has already brought in Gary Liddle this month and will now hope to make further moves in the market before the end of the transfer window.

He is eager to strengthen in several positions, with a new forward understood to be among his priorities.

United - who go to Accrington Stanley tomorrow - have been trying to juggle their finances in recent weeks after the revelation they were almost at the limit of their playing budget.

Chairman Andrew Jenkins insisted the club were working "tirelessly" to help Curle make the signings he feels can consolidate the Blues' promotion push.

That campaign will no longer include Atkinson, who had been out of favour this season and on loan at Evo-Stik Premier club Blyth Spartans as he agreed his permanent departure.

The defender made only two first-team substitute appearances early in the campaign and, having been unable to force his way back into Curle's team, headed to the north-east in order to gain first-team football.

His loan at Blyth was extended on January 6, due to last until February 8. He made 38 appearances for the Cumbrians after originally joining on loan in March 2015, later making a permanent move from Boro.

Manager Curle said on United's website: “David is a great lad but, with the additions we’ve made to the squad, he hasn’t been able to get the game time he wants and needs with us this season.

“He knows we’re going through a progressive stage as a football club and he wants to give himself the best opportunity to kick his own career on.

“We wish him all the very best as he moves on.”

Atkinson last night tweeted about his departure.

He wrote: "Would like to thank @officialcufc for the last 18 months, great bunch of lads and fans always made me feel welcome, all the best."

Curle said former Chelsea left-back Wright, 21, has left before the end of his short-term contract in order to find another club during the transfer window.

He made three sub appearances for United's first-team after a trial spell.

"He’s another who wasn’t getting the game time he needed and he’s at an age and a stage of his career where that needs to be the case," Curle said.

Wright initially joined Carlisle at the same time as fellow full-back Alex McQueen, who remains with the Blues.

Injuries to key players Mike Jones and Danny Grainger appear to have made new signings who are ready for immediate first-team action Curle's priority now, rather than younger "projects" like Wright.

Asamoah's exit has left Curle seeking extra firepower, although Jabo Ibehre could return from a virus tomorrow at the ground where he was controversially sent off after 34 seconds last season.

Youth team forward Cameron Salkeld, who scored in the under-18s' 2-1 FA Youth Cup defeat at Leicester on Wednesday, could again be involved in the first-team squad to face John Coleman's strugglers.

Curle, meanwhile, has said he won't hold it against any player who turns down the offer of a new deal at Brunton Park.

United's boss wants to tie Mark Gillespie, Luke Joyce, Jason Kennedy, Michael Raynes and Danny Grainger to extended contracts having made formal offers to the five players.

Curle said: "I think we've made good, honest offers to the players. They are well within their rights not to accept them and chance their arm at the end of the season.

"If somebody doesn’t sign, it's for their reasons and I wont hold it against them in any way, shape or form. If the fit is right for them to stay and play, I will select them as long as they are performing."

Curle said he was awaiting feedback from chief executive Nigel Clibbens on the progress of discussions with the five players. United have announced discounted tickets for the February 14 visit of Doncaster.

Adult prices are £16 (seating) and £13 (terracing) with no increase if bought on the day. Tickets go on sale on Monday, January 30.

Meanwhile, former United keeper and coach Tony Caig has left Hartlepool following the managerial change at Victoria Park.

The Cumbrian goalkeeping coach has departed along with chief scout Tommy Miller and fitness coach Craig Hubbard.

That follows the sacking of manager Craig Hignett and his replacement by Dave Jones, who is bringing in his own backroom staff.

Caig, who had a brief spell as joint caretaker manager at Carlisle before Keith Curle's arrival in September 2014, had been with Pools since June 2015.