Keith Curle has reaffirmed his commitment to Carlisle United's promotion challenge after his claim that he rebuffed an approach to leave the Blues.

The manager said he is determined to finish the job he has started after turning down the unnamed club about three weeks ago.

Curle originally made the revelation at a fans' question-and-answer session hosted by United's London Branch supporters club on Friday night.

In post-match interviews at Leyton Orient on Saturday, as well as an appearance on the Football on 5 highlights show that evening, Curle reiterated his loyalty to the Blues.

Curle said: "There was an approach that was made officially to the football club and they were right and proper in that they informed me.

"I've got a clause in my contract that allows me to speak to the club in question, as long as I give my parent club acknowledgement that I want to go and do that.

"I spoke to John Nixon, Nigel Clibbens and Andrew Jenkins and told them my desire was that I wanted to stay here.

"I think I'm starting something and creating something that I think I need to see through."

On Channel 5 Curle - under contract until summer 2018 - added: "I owed that loyalty to the chairman [Jenkins] and the other stakeholders for this season to make sure I'm there, guiding the football club where I think it needs to be."

Curle said midfielder Jason Kennedy is set to see a specialist in London on Monday about his groin injury, but Shaun Brisley is closer to a return and should be back in training later this week.

Mike Jones' return from injury as a second-half sub at Orient was a timely boost, meanwhile, and Curle said: "The lad has been chomping at the bit and his work ethic has been exemplary."

Curle plans to assess some trialists in a friendly against Burnley on Tuesday but stressed that only players with a realistic chance of joining the Blues would be involved.

"It's not an open trial - it's invitation only," he said.

"Just because you're out of contract doesn't mean you're going to come to Carlisle."

United's youth team lost 4-3 at Bury on Saturday with Max Brown and Jack Egan (two) on target for Darren Edmondson's under-18s.

In London, meanwhile, a United legends team featuring Steve Soley, Paul Proudlock, Andy Watson, John Halpin, Ian Arnold, Derek Walsh and BBC Radio Cumbria 's James Phillips beat a London Branch XI 3-2.

The London Branch raised £265.45 for the Great North Air Ambulance from a raffle at Friday's Q&A session and a collection on Saturday.

Former United frontman Charlie Wyke scored 15 minutes into his Bradford debut in their 2-2 draw with Gillingham.