Manager Keith Curle is urging Carlisle’s latest signings to earn extended stays.

Samir Nabi has signed with the Blues until the end of the season, while Ben Tomlinson has joined on a non-contract basis, ahead of today’s game against Crewe at Brunton Park (3pm kick-off), where both will be available. The deals are likely to be the final new additions this campaign, with the deadline to bring free agents in now having passed.

Curle has challenged his recent additions – which also includes Junior Joachim, Joe Ward and James Hooper who joined earlier this month – to prove they can be part of his long-term plans.

He said: “You would say the latest two additions, and the other lads who have signed previously, they aren’t only looking short-term.

"They’re looking medium and long-term, which means can they do enough to get in the squad and get in the team, and earn a contract for next season? What we’re saying is the door is open.”

Nabi, 20, joined Carlisle after a spell in the Indian Super League.

Curle said: “He has a physical presence, an eye for a goal, good dynamics, he can get about the pitch, likes a tackle and is physically very fit. He has got an attacking prowess that I like. He arrives in the box, on the edge of the box and he can handle a football, and he has a good passing range.

“I was quite surprised when he took the option to go out to India. He has come back in. I think he was very highly sought-after when he was at West Brom. He had a good foundation, a very good upbringing. He played with some very good players in a good team. The door is open for Samir to go out, put in performances and earn the right to go and play in a team in the right end of the division.”

On striker Tomlinson, Curle added: “He has an eye for a goal.

“As a man, he’s very competitive. He has a steely determination that I like, even to the extent he knows how to play various positions, whether that be as a number 10, a number seven or a number eight.

“He can play those positions equally well, with a goal threat added to each one of those positions. A player who scores goals, you usually find he can score goals at any level.

“Sometimes, we have lacked that goal threat in Jason Kennedy’s absence. He is on the road to recovery but sometimes we need another option.”

This week, a new financial link between Carlisle and Edinburgh Woollen Mill has emerged.

“The board of directors have kept me well informed about the commercial deal and also the financial implications that can have, not only on the football club, but also then potentially on the football department,” Curle said.

“When money comes into the club in an amount that is as substantial as what has been mentioned, the club in all honesty do everything they can do to make sure as much of that money can be filtered onto the pitch as possible.

“Obviously, it’s a business and it has to be run correctly but, ultimately, most of the finances get directed towards us being as competitive as possible on the grass.”

Defender Tom Miller has been advised to resume training next week, while Jason Kennedy is hoping for an update from a specialist next week.