Gary Liddle remains a potential transfer window signing at Carlisle United - but suggestions of an imminent deal appear to be premature.

The Chesterfield midfielder is thought to be under consideration at Brunton Park as Keith Curle eyes new additions.

But reports that Liddle was set to sign for Carlisle yesterday proved wide of the mark.

Curle, who managed Liddle at Notts County, is an admirer of the 30-year-old and admitted to the News & Star he would be interested if the versatile player is indeed available.

But any move could depend on a host of other factors, including how easily Curle can juggle the budget at his disposal at Carlisle.

The manager said after Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Colchester that a revised look at the Blues' finances left him needing to move players out in order to add new faces.

Curle said it was "likely" that he needed to balance the books if fresh faces were to be added to Carlisle's promotion push.

Teessider Liddle is understood to be interesting his former club Hartlepool but reports in the north-east yesterday said Pools were resigned to losing the player to Carlisle.

The managerial situation at Chesterfield may be another factor, with a successor to Danny Wilson unlikely to be appointed this week.

Those issues could delay any Carlisle move, although Curle has made little secret of his belief that his squad needs to be bolstered this month.

Curle said: "I've got an idea and have some players in mind who I'd like to bring into the club.

"There are also some players who, at the minute and for varying reasons, are not in my team and the likelihood is they will need to go and gain football elsewhere.

"We're trying to bring in a few new faces with qualities and skill sets we haven't got. Unfortunately, to do that I need to make room within the squad...to balance the books and get some people going in the other direction."

Curle said any additions this month need to be "first XI" material rather than "squad players" who would make up the numbers.

United, meanwhile, have yet to receive any approach for Kevin Wright after the left-back was linked with Norwegian club Levanger FK.