KEITH Curle insists he will not pay over the odds in a bid to bring loan frontman Hallam Hope back to Carlisle United.

The Blues manager has admitted he would be keen on a deal for the Bury forward, who scored five goals in 25 outings last season.

But with Hope still under contract at his parent club, Curle says he could prove too expensive.

The only way a move could happen, United's boss added, is if Hope remains out of favour at Gigg Lane and all parties could reach a financial agreement.

Curle said: "Hallam has acquitted himself very well, and he's had flashes where you could see why Bury paid 100 grand for him at a young age.

"I think Hallam's really enjoyed his time at the football club, really enjoyed his time. He's felt welcomed, he's completely and utterly integrated into the squad.

"He's got another year's contract at Bury, on wages befitting a player that plays at a higher level that has commanded a quite expensive transfer fee.

"Would I say he's in our price bracket? Unfortunately, no he's not.

"But strange things happen in football. if a player isn't playing and it's costing his club money.

"We had a couple of scenarios ourselves here last season whereby it wasn't fruitful to the player to be on that wage and remain at the club, so deals were struck.

"If Hallam doesn’t see his future at Bury, and if Bury don't see his future with them, they might be able to do a financial package with him that might see him able to come into our wage bracket.

"At the minute, he's not. It's not that we can't afford him, but I've got a worth I think I can pay Hallam and still be able to incentivise him financially with playing, scoring, creating goals and winning games.

"Players come to this club now not for a pay day, but they will have the opportunity to earn money if they achieve their targets individually and collectively."

Hope found himself edged out of favour at Bury last season as the League One club preferred the likes of Leon Clarke, Ryan Lowe and Tom Pope.

The 22-year-old ended the season with a strong display against Notts County and later said on Twitter that he had enjoyed his time at Brunton Park.

Curle has already registered interest with a further two loanees, Alex Gilliead and Macaulay Gillesphey, about the prospect of them returning to Carlisle for the 2016/17 campaign.

Meanwhile, the United boss is this week expecting replies from Tom Miller and Alex McQueen on the contract offers he has made to the defenders.