Tranmere are showing interest in out-of-favour Carlisle United defender Mark Ellis, the News & Star understands.

Ahead of tomorrow night's transfer deadline, the National League club are eyeing the Blues centre-half.

While United manager Keith Curle remains in talks with other targets, the prospect of more departures from Brunton Park has not been ruled out.

And it is understood Tranmere, fifth in non-league's top tier, would like to do a deal for Ellis to help bolster their promotion push.

If it is a loan move, it would depend on the clubs reaching agreement on a contribution to the 29-year-old's wages.

Ellis has rarely been involved in the first-team picture since the early weeks of the season and it is believed Carlisle would allow him to leave if the deal was right for all parties.

After making 11 outings early in the campaign, he was loaned to Leyton Orient for two months.

His only Carlisle appearance since then came in their FA Cup third round replay at Sheffield Wednesday, when first-choice Clint Hill missed the game to be with his ill father.

The ex-Shrewsbury man was not in the squad for Saturday's 1-0 win against Forest Green - the club he helped to National League promotion during a loan spell last season.

United have not commented on Tranmere, although Curle did admit there had been interest in Ellis and other members of his squad, and did not rule out players leaving this week.

"There's been interest from the league below and this league, not only for Mark Ellis but [also] for a few players that are playing or are consistently in the squad," the manager said.

"If someone rings up and makes a genuine enquiry about a player, the first call I make is to the football club to tell them, and the second one is to the player, and then [it is down to] does the player want to pursue it?

"Because of the quality we've got, we don’t need to force anybody out because of their personality or attitude, or their dynamics within the group.

"That shows the players we have brought in have the good character we have been striving to bring in.

"I've been a professional myself, and players will have one eye on next year and the year after that if they are not playing, or even if are and see an opportunity to enhance or further their career elsewhere.

"I give them the option. If it suits the football club, me and the player, excellent. If one of those isn't right, it doesn't happen."

Curle and his backroom team were understood to be meeting more players and agents yesterday, meanwhile, in the hope of making at least one more addition before tomorrow's 11pm deadline.

That follows last week's loan departure of Shaun Miller and the double arrival of Kris Twardek and Cole Stockton, who made their debuts on Saturday against Forest Green.