Keith Curle has conceded Carlisle United have had to deal with too many injuries and he will look into why at the end of the season.

The Blues have had to contend without midfielders Mike Jones and Jason Kennedy for extended periods this campaign, while Macaulay Gillesphey, Jabo Ibehre, Nicky Adams and Jamie Devitt have all been sidelined for key stages this season.

Kennedy didn't travel to West Sussex with the team for their draw at Crawley last Saturday, while Tom Miller also missed out, with midfielder Adams an unused substitute on the bench.

Curle says he will have "nearly a full quota of players to choose from, going into the next two games" at home to Newport and away at Exeter.

But the Blues boss added: "We have had too many injuries, no matter what happens.

"We have had injuries to key players that have missed a lot of games which is something I will have to have a look at, at the end of the season. We can't afford to have the season peter out.

"If it is down to the training regime, I need to have a look at it and I need to address it."

United manager Curle also hailed the "fantastic support" of the away fans who travelled to Sussex on Saturday, with more than 200 making the journey.

On the fans, he said: "Fantastic support again to stay with the players, even at 2-0 down.

"We got the goals at the right time. But we had some good opportunities and we didn't take them.

"But we are creating opportunities, we are creating goals. We need to tighten up at the back and we need to make sure, individually and collectively, we are doing our jobs defensively."

And the Carlisle boss is hoping the fans will back the team again this Saturday when they welcome Newport to Brunton Park for their final regular home league fixture of the season.

An overdue victory for the Cumbrians this weekend would, at least, keep them in with a chance of reaching the play-offs heading into the last day of the campaign, although a defeat could mathematically end their play-off hopes once and for all.

Asked what his message to Carlisle United supporters would be ahead of this Saturday's game against County, who have hit form at the right time to climb out of the League Two relegation zone, Curle said: "Come and back us now because this is when we will need you."

Elsewhere, former Carlisle man Billy Paynter will be involved in the management team that will take charge at Hartlepool until the end of the season after boss Dave Jones parted company with the club this week.

United's youth team, meanwhile, continued their recent impressive form with a 5-2 win over Preston North End as they claimed a third successive victory.