Carlisle United have extended the loan deals for Newcastle United pair Alex Gilliead and Macaulay Gillesphey until the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

The youngsters both joined the Cumbrians last month on short-term loan deals but manager Keith Curle has been delighted with what the pair have shown so far at Brunton Park and is "looking forward to working with them and watching how they develop this season."

Speaking to the official Carlisle United website, Curle had this to say:

"You can tell both lads have got ability. They've gone through the ranks at Newcastle and the next step in their progression was league football.

"They've joined a football club in ourselves which has one eye on youth development. That has been shown with recent youth team players who came through and played a lot of league football before moving up the divisions.

"These lads weren't brought in as projects. They were brought in because they added something to the squad we didn't have."

Defender Gillesphey made his debut in the Capital One Cup defeat to Liverpool, playing the final 20 minutes of the match and the whole of extra time as Carlisle took Liverpool all the way to penalties at Anfield.

He has since made four league appearances and although at fault for a couple of goals in last weekend's defeat to Morecambe.

Alex Gilliead has also made five appearances and helped the team with two assists on his debut in the 2-2 draw with York City.

Newcastle have allowed both Gilliead and Gillesphey to play in the FA Cup for the Cumbrians this season, but do have a re-call option included in the loan deals.

Ninth-placed Carlisle play eleventh-placed Exeter City at Brunton Park on Saturday in Sky Bet League Two, both players are expected to feature in the matchday squad.

Carlisle fans .. Are you pleased Gilliead and Gillesphey are staying at Brunton Park till the end of the season? Let us know your views and opinions in the comments box below!