Keith Curle says Carlisle United must not heap too much expectation on Jamie Proctor tonight as the Blues' No9 returns to face the leaders.

Proctor is expected to go straight back into the side after suspension against table-topping Doncaster (Brunton Park, 7.45pm).

The Bolton loanee's home debut will be timely as United aim to bury the memory of Saturday's horror show against Blackpool.

But Curle says any improvement must be the team's responsibility, not just down to Proctor.

"I don’t want to put too much pressure on Jamie and say just because Jamie's back there's going to be a performance," Curle said.

"I don't think we can blame Jamie not being there for [Saturday] - I don't think that's right.

"There were players who were given the opportunity to perform, and we under-performed individually and collectively.

"It's not a result we could hide behind. The changing room has been exposed. Now we need a reaction.

"There's no better way of looking forward to a reaction when you're playing the team that's top of the league and saying, go on then, this is what we're about."

United's long-held position in the automatic promotion places will be at risk if they come unstuck against Darren Ferguson's pacesetters tonight.

Fourth-placed Luton, who host Hartlepool, are three points adrift of United but with a better goal difference.

Carlisle, though, will be seeking a strong response to Saturday's 4-1 humbling in order to restore confidence and strengthen their hold on third place.

Donny are unbeaten in 10 games and have only lost once in the league since October 22.

United performed well against Ferguson's side at the Keepmoat Stadium in September and Curle is seeking a repeat performance.

Curle said: "We contained them, took the lead, they then got the advantage and went 2-1 ahead, but we equalised with about 15 minutes to go and, let me tell you, they wanted that final whistle at 2-2, because we had a head of steam.

"With our decision-making, we looked incisive. We're looking to be able to replicate the majority of that again.

"Can we put them on the back foot, stop them from playing how they want to play, can we turn it into a game that suits us more than them?"

Curle will consider other changes, with Mike Jones a contender to make his first start since returning from injury.

Ferguson could recall James Coppinger, who was rested for their draw at Newport last Friday, but Mathieu Baudry is a doubt.