The Blues boss says he does not yet have enough fully fit and available players to consider any departures.

There had been recent speculation that certain players out of the immediate first-team picture could seek first-team football elsewhere.

Head coach Elliot said that prospect may come down the line – but not right now.

“We want to get to the position where there’s a strong squad first, and there’s players that need to come back from injury, get minutes and train well,” Elliot told the News & Star.

“Because of the injuries we’ve had from the start, we’ve never got to the point where we’ve been at full capacity in the squad.

“I think there’s only been once when we’ve had to leave someone out.

“Currently we’ve got 18 players available and we’re going to have to ask all 18 to get through the next three games.

“Most clubs have that, I’m not complaining but we haven’t had the ability to pull someone out for a game and put someone in, to keep the real freshness there.

“What I'm looking forward to is when we get to a point when we do have that 20-23 [available players] and we're able to go with strong squads, and if someone is niggling they can come out because we've got great depth in the squad.

Rob Elliot (Image: Richard Parkes)

“If we get to that point, there might be one or two that find themselves not playing games [and we’ll look at it then].”

Elliot has also played down the prospect of any incoming transfer activity.

Chief executive Tom Lawrence recently suggested Carlisle were looking at the market for another centre-forward – a position weakened by Georgie Kelly’s current hip injury.

Elliot, though, said such a move is not on the cards right now.

“I had a good chat with Tom Lawrence the other day, and the way I see it is if any position becomes available and makes us better, then we probably have to look to see if that's something we want to do,” the Blues boss added.

Georgie Kelly is currently sidelined but Elliot played down the possibility of another attacking addition (Image: Richard Parkes)

“I don't think we have to make decisions based on where the squad's potentially at.

“In terms of a No9, we have Georgie and Luke out, but with Luke back in a couple of weeks, it’ll be like a new signing.

“Harvey Macadam [in midfield] will be like a new signing. Junior [Luamba] hasn't really had a chance to get going with his injury yet.

“We've got to look at what we've got and what's coming in before we look at bringing stuff in.”

Elliot also highlighted the recent arrival of Micah Obiero in attack and feels the ex-Wealdstone man has already shown plenty of his ability.

He added: “I think we're in a strong position and ultimately, if we ever do look to do anything within the market, it's got to make us better.

“I genuinely believe that – both off the pitch in terms of the person, firstly, but then secondly, as a player, do they give us a different dimension? Are they able to strengthen the team? Do they solidify areas where we might be a bit weak or a bit light?

“At the moment, there's not anything to report on that.”