Keith Curle says he’ll be “disappointed” if he doesn’t get a good reception from Carlisle United’s travelling fans at Hartlepool.

The Pools interim boss is hoping to plot the downfall of his former club in Saturday’s showdown in the north east.

But Curle, Carlisle’s manager from 2014-18, hopes he is still met with respect from the 685-strong travelling support at the Suit Direct Stadium.

“I think I’ll be disappointed if I didn’t get a good reception from the Carlisle fans as I believe I had a good connection with the supporters when I was there and we went on some fantastic journeys and had some great times there,” Curle said.

The Bristolian has overseen two draws and a victory since being drafted in by Pools last month after the sacking of Paul Hartley.

Their 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday was their first in 21 league games.

Curle expects to encounter a well-organised Blues side thanks to the management of Paul Simpson.

READ MORE: Why Simmo expects 'different challenge' from Curle's Hartlepool

“They’re going to be organised and disciplined,” he said at a press conference, as reported in the Hartlepool Mail.

“They’ve got a strong and good understanding of how they play and they’ve got some good players and a good coach.

“I like Simmo. I think he’s a good human being. He’s a Carlisle lad as well, returning home for him at a time when the football club needed him most as well.

“I saw them play against Mansfield [when Curle was summarising on BBC Radio Cumbria]. Simmo is a good coach, he has a good understanding of League Two football and how to get the very best out of his players.”

Curle also spoke of his Blues reign, adding: “They had just been relegated when I went there, four points adrift, a changing room that was on its knees and disillusionment in the terraces towards the running of the football club and the ownership of the football club.

“The first chant I heard when I walked down the tunnel was ‘sack the board’ and everything like that - the whole focus was on the directors’ box.

“The main objective for us was to get the attention onto the pitch, get the supporters something to shout about and get belief back.

“We had three top-ten finishes, a play-off finish, developed some players, sold some players, attracted some players and changed the dynamics completely.”

He also recalled the “unbelievable noise” Carlisle’s fans made in the 2015 Carabao Cup tie at Anfield when the Blues took Liverpool to penalties.