Manager Keith Curle says returning Carlisle United striker Richie Bennett cannot wait to return to action after his ban.

Summer signing Bennett, who joined the Brunton Park outfit from Barrow, will be available again tomorrow afternoon for the home clash against Notts County after his red card at Crawley. While defender Tom Parkes - also sent off at the Checkatrade.com Stadium - serves the final game of his ban.

And Curle says the big frontman is "chomping at the bit" to force his way back into his manager's reckoning.

He said: "He saw it [his ban] as an opportunity to get himself up to speed with his fitness work.

"The lad's attitude has been excellent, him and Tom Parkes have been doing some extra training.

"They have done very, very well. He is chomping at the bit."

Former Norwich favourite Grant Holt, from Harraby, has this week backed Bennett to be a success at Carlisle.

"It's always nice when other people get recognition and praise from other people who have had success," United's manager said on the praise Bennett has received.

"I think he would have seen him play and would have been aware of him from Barrow, as well. He knows his skill-sets.

"All he needs is a goal and then he will go on a run of scoring goals. I think the same thing has happened with Jamie Devitt. It has been a tough nut to crack.

"But, if you had moved the goals three inches either side, Jamie would be sat on 11 or 12 now rather than the two he's got in his career at Carlisle.

"But now he's hit the back of the net he has his confidence back in his shooting, whereby he was happy to step-up and take the penalty on Tuesday."

Carlisle go into tomorrow's match in 15th in the table, although are only six points off a play-off place.

"I think, if you look at previous seasons, being top after 12 or 13 games isn't a guarantee that you stay there. It's same for the teams at the bottom of the league, as well," Curle added.

"We are getting a foothold and a rhythm, and a style of play that is suiting us now.

"I think what we need now is a couple of wins at home, and others team are being accredited with having a very good start to the season - well, we have had an intermittent start to the season. But we are six points off the play-offs."