Luke Joyce says he would love to commit his long-term future to Carlisle United.

The midfielder, who faces Yeovil today (Brunton Park, 3pm) is one of five senior players who manager Keith Curle wants to offer new deals.

And Joyce told the News & Star he would be more than happy to sit down with the club and thrash out a longer stay at Brunton Park.

Joyce, 29, said: "It's always nice to get your future secured as early as possible - and my contract expires at the end of this season.

"I will speak to the manager and we will go through all that.

"I'd be delighted to stay and I really want to stay. I can't see there being a problem at all."

Curle also wants to open "formal" talks with Danny Grainger, Jason Kennedy, Michael Raynes and Mark Gillespie after making preliminary approaches to the players whose deals are also up in the summer.

Today's game, meanwhile, could see United return to the top of League Two if they win and leaders Plymouth lose at Accrington.

Mike Jones and Grainger are injury doubts, with Jabo Ibehre not yet certain to return, but Michael Raynes will continue in defence having had his red card at Luton overturned.

The 10th-placed Glovers are chasing a play-off place and Joyce - who made his full Blues debut against the Somerset side back in 2007 - anticipates an entertaining clash.

He said: "We had four good games against them last season in league and cup and they were all tight affairs.

"They were in the play-off places until last week. They've been going well and so have we, so it should be a good game."

Today starts a period of four games in 17 days which Joyce says can have a big say in United's campaign.

But he insists being number one at Christmas is not the be-all and end-all.

Joyce added: "We just want to win the next game. If we do that there will be a good chance of being top.

"But if we're not top we're not going to get downhearted, as long as we keep doing our job and going about our business quietly.

"There are a lot of points to play for in a short space of time. If we can get some good results it will cement our place right up there."

United yesterday handed veteran striker Derek Asamoah a month-long contract extension.

A Fan Zone marquee is open today from 12pm in the main stand car park with a band, drinks offers and former players, while season-ticket holders can claim a free drink.