Keith Curle has ordered a return of passing football at Carlisle United today in a bid to get their play-off bid flowing again.

The Blues' style of play has been a hot topic among fans recently with Curle often adopting a more direct approach compared with their early-season methods.

But United's boss, whose side are four points adrift of seventh-placed visitors Wycombe (Brunton Park, 3pm), says keeping the ball on the floor must be the way forward this afternoon.

Curle said: "We know we can get the ball down and play with confidence and that style of play we want to get back to at Brunton Park.

"When we're going away from home, on pitches that don't have the luxury of the amount of grass we have at Brunton Park, we do have to change our game plan.

"Can we take a free-flowing passing game on the road? At times it's difficult. But [today] we want to get the ball down, pass and play.

"Wycombe have got big, strong, physical lads at the back, very dominant in the centre-back area, up for a fight, and we need to move those players around."

United are bidding to end a run of four games without a win as they try to close the gap on the play-off places.

Jabo Ibehre and Antony Sweeney could return from injury, with Michael Raynes also hoping for a recall, but as the News & Star went to press Curle had yet to complete either of the two signings he was chasing on the eve of the game.

Carlisle's boss was trying to land a midfielder and a winger, one from a Premier League club and another a free agent.

Time is running out for Curle to add to his squad with the loan window set to close on Thursday.

Today's clash, meanwhile, has been earmarked as a key encounter if United want to revive their dwindling promotion hopes.

"It's a good opportunity. It's a big game," Curle said.

"Timing is the key. Now would be a nice time to get that momentum and creep into the play-offs with that momentum.

"We're still in the mix. I'm happier where we are this season than at the same stage last season. We're facing in the right direction, with a clean bill of health, good players, an air of arrogance and confidence within the team knowing we can go on that run.

"We know we haven't maximised our performance levels yet, and there is more to come."

Curle watched Wycombe's draw at Accrington on Wednesday and said of the visitors: "They're a team that can be up for a fight. They can be very direct in their play and have no hesitation in putting the ball back into the danger area, so we'll need to be on our guard."

United's boss said he does not expect there to be any bad blood on Luke Joyce's part as the midfielder faces Wycombe five months after being controversially sent off at Adams Park - an incident that saw Chairboys striker Paul Hayes wave Joyce down the tunnel.

"Luke's a very good competitor, I don't think he bears malice," Curle said. "In fact I don't think he even tells his kids off. Luke's focus is on getting in the team, and then if selected, about stopping the opposition then being instrumental for us."