Manager Keith Curle believes Carlisle United are no longer the soft touches of years gone by.

The Blues boss has been delighted with his side's battling qualities in their back-to-back victories.

And Curle reckons some previous eras at Brunton Park have not measured up to his team in terms of aggression and courage.

The manager's view follows Saturday's gritty 2-1 win at Wycombe which put United five points clear of the play-off places.

Curle said: "People that know Carlisle United would say some of the attributes needed [at Wycombe] have been missing in years gone by.

"Carlisle have had some fantastic players, some very good players, but to go to Wycombe and win you need a mental strength, a desire and willingness to be brave."

United are now eyeing a massive home clash with Portsmouth which could take them even further clear of the chasing pack.

It follows their successive wins against Doncaster and Wycombe at the start of a run of games against many of their fellow contenders.

Curle is also pleased with the character his team have shown after the previous weekend's 4-1 defeat to Blackpool.

But he insists he will not allow anyone to take their foot off the pedal now results are improving again.

The United boss said: "There's nothing to be scared of in this division and that's our mentality.

"But within that we've got a very challenging environment, a very challenging group.

"We've got a very small squad but it's competitive and players know if they're not right, they get told. If you're not right on a Monday or a Tuesday, the likelihood is there will be a knock-on effect. So you get told early."

United could also go level on points with second-placed Plymouth if results go their way this weekend.

And Curle insists his team are eyeing the chance to overtake those in front of them, rather than looking over their shoulders.

He added: "The focus from the players is on who's above us.

"We've got a lot of respect for the teams above us and what they do. We monitor what they do and we try and embrace and enhance the qualities they've got.

"They're there on merit but, likewise, nobody can take away where we are in the division because we've earned it.

"We know as a group that everything we get, we're going to earn. Nobody's going to roll over for us, nobody's going to give us the mistakes we gave Blackpool.

"Because of that we need to be willing. It's massive that the players rest very well but when we work, there's a fantastic work ethic."

Curle is set to assess some trialists in training even though the prospects of a reserve friendly were looking remote last night.

* The EFL have announced fixture dates for next season, which will kick off on the weekend of August 4-6 and end on the weekend of May 5.

The controversial Checkatrade Trophy is scheduled to start in the week starting August 28. But the EFL say a review of the competition will take place at the end of the season "and any adjustments to the schedule will be made accordingly".

League fixtures for the 2017/18 campaign will be released on Wednesday, June 21.