Steven Pressley has insisted he will not force the issue of his long-term future at Carlisle United – saying he is “comfortable” to wait for directors to make their decision.

With seven games to go, the manager is trying to revive the Blues’ play-off hopes which sees a trip to in-form Tranmere tomorrow.

Carlisle have slipped out of the top seven in recent weeks and must now bridge a three-point gap.

Their ability to regain winning form may have a bearing on Pressley’s prospects of remaining in charge, although the Brunton Park hierarchy have also said they do not want to play a long waiting game.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens told last week’s annual general meeting they wanted to resolve the situation “as soon as possible” and not let it “drag on” as it did last season with the end of Keith Curle’s tenure and the search for a replacement.

Asked by The Cumberland News if there have so far been any discussions about extending his current deal, which runs to the end of the campaign, Pressley said: “No. And I haven’t sought any assurances on that.

“I will do my job and I will continue to do my job. I will prepare, I will look at players of potential for next year…I will do all of those things.

“I will do everything expected of me as a manager, and they will make the decision that they see is right for this club moving forward.

“I’m very comfortable at this moment in time. I came into the job in this position and I understand it. I really like the job, I really like the club, and we’ll see what the next couple of weeks or months bring.”

Pressley underlined his wish to plan ahead by saying he hopes to look at a number of trialists with a view to next season in a reserve friendly against Preston soon.

He added: “As a staff, we’re getting out to watch as many players we think fit our profile as we can, and we continue to do that. Recruitment’s the most crucial aspect in football, no matter what anybody tells you, and we have to make sure we get that, and make no mistakes.”

In the meantime, United will try to end Tranmere’s longest winning run for 28 years tomorrow. Micky Mellon’s fifth-placed side, who include former Blues defender Mark Ellis and the country’s top scorer James Norwood, have won their last six games.

A strong travelling support is expected and Pressley said: “That will be a big factor. Our supporters on our travels are always right behind the team. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – when I came to watch the team at Northampton that day [before being appointed] there was a great travelling support and it’s really important.

“They’ll come out in their numbers again and they’re very much appreciated.”

Pressley has maintained that, despite one win in nine, United are moving in the right direction in terms of their style of play and creation of chances.

He has called, though, on his defence to be tighter. He said: “One thing I have spoken about is that, because we play in a certain way, as a defender you have to be in positions to tidy up your fellow player’s mistakes.

“Last weekend [in the 2-2 draw with Cambridge] we didn’t do that on their two goals. As a defender you always have to have the mentality of ‘what if’ – what if he makes a mistake, and I can recover that for him.

“We need to bring a little more of that to the team – the anticipation on those moments.”