Keith Curle says his recruitment guru Lee Dykes is finalising a dossier of transfer targets that he insists will help Carlisle United consolidate their promotion push.

The manager - whose side could go top of League Two by beating Mansfield at Brunton Park tomorrow - says Carlisle should follow the example of successful teams who made key additions in the last winter transfer window.

While Curle's exact January budget has yet to be finalised, he wants to be "proactive" in boosting the Blues' chances of reaching League One.

Curle said: "Lee is just finalising the dossier now, ready to be presented to the football club for when they say, 'this is where you're going to be shopping'.

"Whatever money is available, we believe we will spend it as wisely as possible.

"A figure has not been put on it yet but we want to be in a healthy position when the window opens, and that's a good time to continue your recruitment.

"If you look at teams who went up last season, they recruited very, very well in January. We're hoping to do that."

Curle said that further progress in the cups next month - United host Rochdale in the FA Cup next weekend before facing Mansfield again in the Checkatrade Trophy - can also generate revenue for January spending.

The manager, though, insisted he has not been told to ship players out before he can afford additions. Curle added: "A lot can happen from Saturdays to Tuesdays over the next few weeks and there are areas where your priorities can change.

"We don't want to put all our eggs in one basket. We're identifying targets we think can improve us short, medium and long-term.

"But before you go shopping it's important you know what the financial situation is. You don't want to go walking around Harrods and then find you've only got a fiver."

Curle is hoping to arrange a friendly next Tuesday to take a further look at trialists Alex McQueen and Kevin Wright, whilst adding that the Blues are waiting for "confirmation" from Newcastle on whether they will allow Macaulay Gillesphey to extend his half-season loan.

The manager also plans to hold talks in the next two weeks with players whose contracts are up at the end of the season.

Tomorrow's game, meanwhile, gives United the chance of claiming top spot for the first time in more than six years.

The last time Carlisle topped the pile was on August 27, 2010 in League One. Victory against the Stags - who have won back-to-back games under new boss Steve Evans - and defeat for Plymouth at Morecambe would put United at the summit on goal difference.

Curle said: "We're not totally focused on what other people do, but we keep an eye on it.

"On Tuesday [at Grimsby] the last message was there's one team above us, and we want to get closer. And we got a point close to Plymouth. The mentality is we're looking who's above us.

"The focus now is on Mansfield. They've got good momentum, and a good manager with good experience of winning games and gaining promotion.

"He [Evans] is one of those characters that is very easy to fall out with. I've had a few fall-outs with him but I've always gone and spoken to him afterwards and shaken his hand.

"He is a volatile character who will get every single thing out of those players that they've got to give, not too dissimilar to ourselves - confrontational, on the front foot, robust, aggressive. I don't mind that.

"If necessary, I will fall out with anybody if it means us not getting manipulated in any way. I know [Evans'] Paul Raynor is a constant menace to the fourth official, but we've got staff members who've got that same passion and desire. Whatever they say, we'll say. We won't let down the team on the side of the pitch.

"It might not be a game for the purist for the first hour and 10 minutes until it calms down. We know what to expect and they're going to get the same back at them."

Curle said midfielder Mike Jones is fit to play despite suffering a broken nose in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Grimsby. Jamie Devitt will serve the second game of a two-match ban.